Most people are afraid of public speaking and this is your secret weapon…don’t tell anyone:)
Jerry Seinfeld made a great joke based on a simple observation:
“I read a thing that actually says that speaking in front of a crowd is considered the number one fear of the average person. I found that amazing – number two was death! That means to the average person if you have to be at a funeral, you would rather be in the casket than doing the eulogy.”
The fear of public speaking is the most common fear and prevents many from achieving their potential success. Imagine if you were comfortable speaking in public and took every opportunity presented, how would your life improve?
I write this as someone that struggled with anxiety for 15 years (Panic Disorder) and am fully aware of the feelings and thoughts that standing in front of a group can produce. My personal journey to overcome anxiety and then being asked to share my experiences with audiences, allow an understanding into the fear of public speaking and most importantly, how to overcome it.
Why the fear of public speaking is great for you?
1) As Jerry Seinfeld noted, more people are afraid of public speaking than death, so it’s a great opportunity to set yourself apart from the crowd.
2) People that make an attempt to speak, (notice I didn’t say are excellent, polished speakers) are viewed as brave because they are doing something that most audience members are terrified of.
3) It represents as opportunity in business to gain exposure, trust, leader status, and revenue, while most of your competitors are too afraid and hiding in their offices.
4) Having the confidence and ability to present anywhere, anytime feels empowering and you will embrace opportunities because you recognize the success that comes with speaking in public.
Why Take Action Now!!
There are many benefits of public speaking as it’s a great way to gain exposure, self-confidence, and success. Every great speaker started out as an average, maybe a poor one, what made them a success was their willingness to take a chance, try again, and view every opportunity as a learning experience to becoming great.