How to Overcome the Fear of Speaking to Groups

One of the most common causes of anxiety, fear of speaking to groups can range from a minor concern that you might look silly in front of the group to a full-blown anxiety attack with dizziness, rapid breathing and heart rate, and trembling. You can overcome the fear of speaking to groups with practice and conscious effort. Even seasoned professionals admit to a fear of public speaking, even if it is a regular part of their job.

Instructions

• 1

  Determine why you have a fear of speaking to groups. Common concerns include a fear of not having prepared, a fear of appearing foolish or uneducated, or a basic insecurity about your ability to perform as a public speaker.

• 2

  Seek a therapist's help, if necessary, to find the root of your fear. Your fear may be a complex topic, especially if the fear of speaking to groups represents a larger issue with social anxiety. A therapist can use cognitive-behavioral therapy to help you understand the thoughts that are making you anxious, as well as give you guidance on how to control those thoughts.

• 3

  Know your audience and room setup before you speak to a group. This helps you know how to organize your presentation effectively and makes the event run more smoothly.

• 4

  Make note cards or an outline if necessary --- don't count on remembering all that you want to say if you get nervous in front of a group. Forgetting what you wanted to say because of anxiety will only reinforce the fear of speaking to groups, so cut the problem off with extra preparation.

• 5

  Practice your material thoroughly before speaking to a group. The material should come as second nature so you feel comfortable discussing it logically in a tense moment. Practice not only the material itself, but your delivery, posture and tone. It helps to practice in front of others. In the beginning, practice with people you know well, but as your confidence level increases, practice in front of other co-workers or in a neutral role-playing setting.

• 6

  Eliminate any external factors that might contribute to anxiety. Avoid any form of caffeine, nicotine or alcohol before speaking to a group, and make sure you get enough sleep and food. Even though a stimulant such as caffeine might keep you alert, it will put your body into a nervous state and make it easier for anxious thoughts to throw you off balance.

• 7

  Remember the last time you watched someone else speak to a group. Most likely, you did not spend the entire time judging the speaker, waiting for him to make a mistake or focusing on any slips. You might not have even focused on the presentation. In the same way, your audience will not judge you as harshly as you think they will.

• 8

  Focus on your audience. Interact with them by telling jokes or asking questions, even if you don't expect an answer. A conversational style gives you time to pause naturally and recollect your thoughts if you need to; this also makes you a more effective speaker and increases your confidence for the next time you speak to a group.