Speaking to Win: The Blog
Fear Of Public Speaking: Would You Rather Be Giving The Eulogy or Be Inside The Coffin?
In a recent Seinfeld episode, Jerry was sitting at a funeral. He turns to the person next to him and comments, “Did you know that they say people fear public speaking more than they fear death? That means that more people would rather be inside the coffin than giving the eulogy!”
Seinfeld was right. In a recent Gallup poll on people’s top 13 greatest fears, public speaking was ranked number one. Death ranked number 7. But why is it we all tend to break out into a cold sweat and go immediately to thoughts of death rather than delight at the very thought of public speaking?
I think it has a lot to do with fear. But what are those fears trying to tell us and can we listen to them to convert all that energy to a positive outcome?
If our fears believe that it is their job to save us from certain humiliation, then, we have to explain to them that we need all that valuable energy in our mental gas tank, not standing out in from of our car, screaming “Get OUT while you still CAN!” But how do we do that?
Well, working with a Professional Speaking Coach like me is a great start, because I can help you understand what your fears are trying to tell you and design a personalized program for overcoming them. I have overcome that same fear myself on Broadway, National Television and radio. Over the years, I have helped hundreds of other professionals give authentic, compelling and winning presentations.
At the outset of the second World War, Franklin Delano Roosevelt told us, “We have nothing to fear but fear itself.” I can help you overcome that fear within you so that you can get on to the business of telling the world your story and winning more customers. The time has come for you to finally give those great speeches of your dreams and not have to die a painful death over and over in the process.
Here in my blogs, we will explore how you can become a more powerful speaker. I will teach you proven tips and techniques for giving a great speech so that you can reach your audience, deliver your message and achieve your goals every time.
Thank you very much for your additional comments regarding this fascinating topic of fear of public speaking. I agree with you that it is indeed natural for everyone to have a feeling of fear of speaking in front of a crowd and we need better tools to be able to learn how to speak in public while we are afraid. That need for better tools and public speaking coaching is in fact one of the reasons I became a professional speaking coach.
I have seen many a client overcome their intense fear and loathing of public speaking and go on to become an extremely competent spokesperson for their business or family foundation. Watching my clients grow beyond their fear is one of my most favorite parts of what I do. When a person learns how to speak their truth and express their beliefs, even despite their fear, their self worth returns and this is awe inspiring to me.
I believe that some of this fear comes as a result of knowing how much power words have. It is also my belief and experience that we can embrace the challenge of our fear and create a conversation with those nagging voices inside our heads. If we learn to allow fear to be present, allow it’s energy to invigorate us and not derail us, in that way we do triumph over it.
Thanks again for writing and adding your thoughts to this ongoing conversation!