Nobody has ever died from stage fright or speaking in public, but I have heard more than once at parties or other social gatherings when people find out what I do, “I would rather die than speak in front of a group”! For many of us, just the thought of speaking in front of people is scary, and oh so uncomfortable! We’d just rather not put ourselves through that kind of anxiety.
Have you ever had any of these symptoms before or while speaking to a group? Dry mouth, tight throat, clammy or shaky hands, queasy stomach, quickened heart rate, weak knees, a sense of dread? Can you think of more? You’re not alone. In fact, many of the most successful performers and public speakers in the world get stage fright, so you are in good company. I have my own theories of why the phenomenon is so universal. I believe that very few of us got much, if any encouragement to express our authentic selves when we were growing up. If we spoke our minds, voiced our opinions, shared our beliefs, were verbal about or let our feelings show, we were subject to ridicule, criticism and for some, even more severe forms of silencing. Consequently, we feel very vulnerable when we are put (or we put ourselves) on the spot to be watched and listened to by people who may judge or even reject us.
Popularity: 2% [?]
