Tips for Overcoming Speech Anxiety

This article by Neil Morgan provides seven quick tips for combating speech anxiety.

• Preparation! Practice your speech 10, 20 or even 30 times. Lots of practice can create a great sense of confidence.
  
  
• Visualize Success. Sit with your eyes closed for 15 minutes and imagine yourself successfully completing your speech. Elite athletes use this technique because your subconscious can’t distinguish between what is real and imagined.
  
  
• Exercise. Hit the gym or take a jog around the building before your speech. Endorphins released during exercise help control the physical symptoms of anxiety.
  
  
• Meet your audience. They are probably not the monsters you have been imagining.
  
  
• Make eye contact. It helps to connect you with the audience.
  
  
• Record your success. After your speech make note of how it went and how you could improve.
  
  
• Set positive goals. Break your cycle of pessimism by setting a goal to become a confident speaker. Seek out ways to develop this interest such as Toastmasters.