Getting Over a Fear of Public Speaking
Don't let nerves stop you from making yourself heard.
Q: I’ve been invited to teach a course, but I’m not a public speaker. How can I overcome my fear?
Fear of speaking in front of a group is at the top of many people’s list of worst fears. (Others are death, financial problems, and loneliness.) As a result, many avoid situations that require them to speak publicly, and this can negatively impact their career, whether it’s by reducing opportunities for promotion or lowering others’ perception of their competence. Here are a couple suggestions that can help you overcome what I call FOPO (Fear of a Podium):
• Ignore the advice to calm down. First, it is impossible; a racing heart, shallow breathing, and sweaty palms are evidence that there is nothing calm about the situation you are in. Second, it doesn’t make any sense; a chilled-out speaker is going to put everyone to sleep.
• Reframe it: Social scientist and Harvard Business School assistant professor Alison Wood Brooks recommends reinterpreting anxiety in a more positive light. In a study, participants who said “I am excited” performed better than those who tried to calm themselves down. Embrace your pre-speech jitters as excitement. Remember, fear is just excitement in need of an attitude adjustment.
Dr. Samantha Boardman is a clinical instructor in psychiatry and an assistant attending psychiatrist at Weil Cornell Medical College in New York and the the founder of positivepercription.com.
A version of this article originally appeared in the September 2018 issue of Marie Claire.
RELATED STORY
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
-
Travis Kelce Made a Sweet Slip-Up on His Podcast That Shows Taylor Swift Is Always on His Mind
Fans are gushing about the romantic Freudian slip.
By Kayleigh Roberts Published
-
Joe Alwyn Had a Flirty Red Carpet Moment with British Comedian and Presenter Amelia Dimoldenberg
He joked that they were "kindred spirits" during a bit of interview banter.
By Kayleigh Roberts Published
-
Taylor Swift Fans Are Melting Down Trying to Decipher a Hand Gesture She Made at the Latest Eras Tour Stop
"I mean she wouldn’t just countdown to the last show cause it’s the last show…right? Something special has to happen………. right???"
By Kayleigh Roberts Published
-
Peloton’s Selena Samuela on Turning Tragedy Into Strength
Before becoming a powerhouse cycling instructor, Selena Samuela was an immigrant trying to adjust to new environments and new versions of herself.
By Emily Tisch Sussman Published
-
This Mutual Fund Firm Is Helping to Create a More Sustainable Future
Amy Domini and her firm, Domini Impact Investments LLC, are inspiring a greater and greener world—one investor at a time.
By Sponsored Published
-
Power Players Build on Success
"The New Normal" left some brands stronger than ever. We asked then what lies ahead.
By Maria Ricapito Published
-
Don't Stress! You Can Get in Good Shape Money-wise
Yes, maybe you eat paleo and have mastered crow pose, but do you practice financial wellness?
By Sallie Krawcheck Published
-
The Book Club Revolution
Lots of women are voracious readers. Other women are capitalizing on that.
By Lily Herman Published
-
The Future of Women and Work
The pandemic has completely upended how we do our jobs. This is Marie Claire's guide to navigating your career in a COVID-19 world.
By Megan DiTrolio Published
-
Black-Owned Coworking Spaces Are Providing a Safe Haven for POC
For people of color, many of whom prefer to WFH, inclusive coworking spaces don't just offer a place to work—they cultivate community.
By Megan DiTrolio Published
-
Where Did All My Work Friends Go?
The pandemic has forced our work friendships to evolve. Will they ever be the same?
By Rachel Epstein Published