Public Speaking

Hypnosis to overcome your nerves

Does the thought of speaking in public leave you with butterflies in your stomach and your legs feeling like jelly?

Public speaking, making presentations, giving a talk, making a speech - however it's described it can be a terrifying experience for many, if not most, people.  This could be addressing a small group of colleagues in a business meeting, giving a presentation to three or four customers, talking in a committee or team setting, or giving the best man's speech at a wedding.

Many people feel anxious about giving a formal talk or presentation and have a real phobia of speaking in public. This is backed up by fear of public speaking research.  In a survey in the USA, where 3,000 adults were asked to list their ten worst fears, public speaking emerged as the number one fear - above even fears of death and financial ruin! (Christine Stuart, "Effective Speaking")

This hypnosis download for fear of public speaking is outstanding.

Why is public speaking such a source of anxiety? Here are some of the main possible reasons for this "stage fright":

• Unfamiliar situation - because most people speak formally to an audience only rarely, the novelty of the situation is a cause of apprehension
• Lack of confidence - stems often from a feeling that others are better speakers than ourselves, or that they know more about the topic in question
• Sense of isolation - the speaker is alone and vulnerable
• Self-consciousness - about our accent, grammar, voice and image generally
• Fear of looking foolish - we may worry that we will forget what we wanted to say, and will stumble over our words, or will say the "wrong" thing

The fear of public speaking, which is a form of social phobia, is of course irrational but is all too real to those who suffer from it.  The good news is that hypnotherapy can help you to get over public speaking anxiety by using the power of your own subconscious mind.

Hypnosis can help with building up your confidence, helping you to remain calm and relaxed.  You can learn how to recognise your body's unique reaction to stress and anxiety and to develop new healthy and positive ways of thinking and feeling.  Deep relaxation techniques used in hypnosis help you to focus inwards and start to build your feeling of confidence, calm and self-belief.

In hypnotherapy you may use visualisation techniques, using the power of your imagination to rehearse or practice a speech or presentation in your mind.  By doing so you will have already experienced the feeling of delivering a great performance, and your mind has been pre-programmed for success.  With your feelings of confidence and control restored, public speaking can be approached with a new level of calmness and assurance.

Here are some ideas for overcoming the fear of public speaking

• Working with a hypnotherapist who understands your fear is one way for you to become calmer, more relaxed and more confident the next time you are asked to speak up
• If seeing a hypnotherapist in person is not for you, a public speaking hypnosis CD is a good alternative
• If you need to make regular presentations a good public speaking course may be a worthwhile investment to improve your presentation skills
• Joining a speakers' club will give you the opportunity to hone your public speaking skills and get valuable practice and feedback from other members

Imagine if, instead of turning to jelly, you could learn to enjoy speaking in public and even look forward to it, writing your own speeches and presentations and most importantly, getting your thoughts across in a calm, assertive and impressive manner.

We hope this article on overcoming fear of public speaking has been helpful.

General tips for presentations - Visit our "Presentations" tips page for more general help with public speaking.

Speech Tips - Find out how to make a speech with this Free guide to speech writing and delivery for every occasion - www.speechtips.com

Skillstudio - Public speaking training courses and workshops in presentation skills - www.skillstudio.com

The Association of Speakers Clubs - Why not improve your public speaking skills by joining a speakers club? - www.the-asc.org.uk