February is the month of love. Chocolates, cards and flowers are still the number one way to show your significant others that you appreciate, care and cherish them. What about yourself? What about self love? In the noisy confusion of life, we often are selfless, committing acts of kindness, duty and help to others first, and ourselves last.
We ignore our symptoms of stress until they overwhelm us in different situations.
Professionals globally, despite having competence in their chosen fields, struggle with public speaking fears. Anxiety is defined as a state of uneasiness and apprehension of fear caused by anticipating something threatening. It can manifest as mild or as a devastating panic attack. It can start in childhood and unless recognized and dealt with, can result in a life long fear that impedes success and prevents a person from reaching their full potential. The fear of public speaking is an international dilemma.
Many people think there is a genetic predisposition to public speaking fear. After training and coaching thousands of clients over the last thirty years, in my private practice, I have observed the fear is based on a lack of self confidence and the fear of being judged. Public speaking if treated as a skill can be improved up to a level of professional speaking.
My clients represent a testimonial to this. Many came to their first Session at Speaker Skills, with obvious trauma of previous public speaking failures. Their jobs suffered, their self confidence had plummeted and their personal lives were dramatically damaged by their poor performance as speakers. The fear seemed to spread from their work place into social interactions. They found social phobias had developed.
Learning the skills and strategies for excellence in public speaking will completely diminish the fear and anxiety. This will result in experiences of successful public speaking. If you suffer from public speaking fear, isn’t it time for you to have self love?
Written by Bette Elly
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