05.14.07
The fear of public speaking
When was the last time you spoke in public? Was it to give a business presentation or after-dinner speech. Either way it can be nerve-wracking, right!
Here are some reasons why we dry up according to the authors of Impact Factory, a training organization located in Islington.
Why do we get Public Speaking anxiety?
Fight or flight
Our bodies are geared to fight or flight from ancient time - fight that mastodon or get the hell out of the way. We don’t have too many mastodons around these days, but the body still reacts as though we do. So, if we have to get up and speak in public, all that adrenalin and noradrenalin goes coursing through our bodies - way more than we need.
We can’t run away (well, we could, but we’d be out of job pretty quick if we did it too often), so our only option is to fight. But in terms of speaking in public, it can be hard to define just what we’re fighting.
Why does public speaking do this to us?
Good question. You’d think that for most people, being given the opportunity to impress their audience would be a fantastic one. There you are in front of a group of people, the spotlight is on you and for the length of time you’ve been give, the world is yours.
Or is it?
The very fact that the spotlight is you is enough to trigger every fear, anxiety and phobia you’ve ever had about public speaking.
Here’s why
- You may be judged by all those people, and judged badly
- You may feel like a fool
- You might make mistakes and loose your way
- You’ll be completely humiliated
- You’ll never be as good as _________ (fill in the blank)
- ‘They’ won’t like you
- ‘They’ won’t ‘get’ what you’re trying to say
Image courtesy of www.1st-public-speaking.info
Jeremy Jacobs said,
May 14, 2007 at 12:02 pm
I’d like to add I’m speaking this evening.
Vanessa Main-Killick said,
May 15, 2007 at 1:36 pm
Wonderful article. How do you find them?
Ellee said,
May 15, 2007 at 8:11 pm
It’s definitely time I did another Toastmasters speech. I’m sure yours went brilliantly.
Christina said,
May 18, 2007 at 9:39 am
I think the ‘fight or flight response’ rhetoric is very unhelpful for people who want to speak in public. It is wrong, IMO. It isn’t totally wrong but a half-truth which can do damage.
Here’s what I believe the truth to be.
1. Adrenaline is produced because we are about to take action.
2. The production of adrenaline is like ‘having our internal battery recharged’.
3. Because we are producing energy chemicals, we should welcome the adrenaline (our batteries being charged)
The response is NOT a fight or fight reponse, it is a ‘take action which requires more energy’ response. Seen this way, it can be welcomed.
The ‘fight or flight response’ dilemma produces an internal dilemma and can prevent us from performing at our best.
The fight or flight response is based on a false idea that public speaking is a frightening thing to do. It associates the production of adrenaline with fear, instead of the true association. The production of adrenaline is truly asociated with chemical energy. That energy can be welcomed, instead of falsely thinking it is fear.
I believe the fight or flight response paradigm is a myth which needs exposing.
Jeremy Jacobs said,
May 18, 2007 at 6:59 pm
Very interesting point Christina. In fact, it was discussed at a course I attended on Wednesday evening. I totally agree with your point about adrenaline but unaware of the chemical distinction.
AFAIAC, I love the “rush” before I get up to speak. One must be careful though as it can distract you and lead to speaking too quickly.
JeremyJacobs.com » The Fear of Public Speaking (2) said,
May 20, 2007 at 5:15 pm
[…] Over at my other site, James Higham and Crushed by Ingsoc have both written interesting comments on the fear of public speaking. Bookmark to: […]
Sandy Renshaw said,
June 5, 2007 at 5:08 am
Hi Jeremy,
Great post - and discussion. I’m going to think positively about the energy rush. Interesting idea to ponder…
Sandy
Jeremy Jacobs said,
June 5, 2007 at 4:58 pm
Sandy
Yes, give it a go.
Jeremy Jacobs said,
June 5, 2007 at 4:58 pm
Ellee
When’s your next speech?
soheil said,
July 9, 2007 at 9:08 pm
i have a speech ina few hours on explaining and talking about myself which i dont really like i feel awkward cause im 100% type of a listener guy that doesnt explain or talk about himself unless questioned now i have to talk about my intrest and background in front of 30 ppl something i have never done in my life i feel very challenged and talking FORMAL makes it more harder im too chill to talk formal lol anyways im just expressing this here to let 50 % of my rush out right here so i can succeed tonight wish me luck guys thks bye