To battle my fear of public speaking, I attended a few media-training seminars hosted by EMMY Award winning producer and national PBS host Shawne Duperon. Shawne has trained many business owners, professionals, and executives to be better on camera and grow their fame – and she’s damn good at it. While Shawne’s seminars are geared towards PR people and those who want to better promote themselves in the media, her tips apply to many areas of life. Here are just a few of them to help manage fears:
Get out of your comfort zone. Engage the uncomfortable situation head on. Suck at interviewing? Attend interview-training sessions on campus or call employers to chat about their company. Having trouble approaching that girl on the other side of the bar? (Yeah, me too.) Make an effort to go strike up a conversation. Remember, shame is overrated. You’ll be surprised as you open yourself to others how they reciprocate your openness. Living out of your comfort zone will give you the strength to overcome your insecurities.
It doesn’t matter what you say – it’s who you are being. Smile. It’s all about your attitude and personality. If you convey confidence, the people you are speaking to will feel confident. Practice this wherever you go, even if you’re not speaking to a group or interviewing for that big job. Practice does make perfect.
Everyone messes up. And people relate to that. Whether you’re nervous or just make a mistake, people are forgiving – it’s how we’re designed. Don’t let it affect your confidence or routine. Acknowledge your misstep, then quickly recover and get back on track.
Whether it's public speaking, interviewing, or influencing others, living in discomfort will prepare you for pressure situations. While easier said than done, overcoming your fears will open up new opportunities and make life a lot more enjoyable.
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