5 reasons why you are afraid to speak in public

People have many different fears. Some more significant cases turn into phobias, which prevent people from achieving their goals. One of the most common fears that people seem to have is the fear of public speaking.

It may come as a surprise, but the reality is that more people are afraid of giving a speech than are afraid of death. It’s easy to see why: Conversations take place online or are often one-on-one. Without any practice in capturing the audience’s interest, you will inevitably feel uncomfortable when faced with such a task. Here are some of the reasons for this fear:

Being unfamiliar with the subject: People are often afraid to speak in front of an audience because they don’t know the subject well. You too may feel insecure about all aspects of the subject, even if you are a recognized expert in the field. However, you should know that you can overcome fear. It takes dedication on your part to gain enough knowledge on the subject. Sure, you can’t always cover 100%, but over time you’ll be able to respond.

Not practicing enough: There is nothing optional about practicing enough before a speech. It’s the surest method to gain some composure and learn how to present. The great musicians, actors, and athletes don’t just show up and do their thing. The best of them put in years of practice! Many great presenters, like Steve Jobs for example, start practicing weeks before the presentation to master all aspects of the presentation.

Feeling insecure about the presentation structure: Think of the presentation structure as a recipe. You need the right ingredients, the right amount of them added at specific times following set actions. Only by taking the time to learn what makes a great presentation can you embrace the process and stop the uncertainties associated with it.

Fear of failure: The fear of failure is considered the closest relative to the fear of public speaking, since in the former it usually increases and often causes the latter. You need to see things from a different perspective: you won’t learn as much from things you do right the first time. This is because such things are often neglected to think twice about. However, you will learn a lot from failure, as you will rethink it and correct the mistake that caused it. As such, failure is not a taboo, but rather an opportunity to grow. Even if you make a mistake, you will be better.

Situational fear: The stakes are high: Your colleagues, your boss, and others you hold in high regard are all present for your speech. A large audience usually produces some anxiety.

All of these reasons for fear of public speaking should be considered serious enough to be discussed the next time you talk to your couch.

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