Public Speaking: It Doesn’t Have to Be Scary
Okay, I’ll admit it. There was a time when I hated public speaking. I know, what an unusual thing to despise! Most people don’t like public speaking. If you’re someone who wants your heart to be fast, your palms to get clammy and your anxiety to be in full-force, then public speaking may be for you!
The way I got over public speaking was through a college course I was required to take. My first speech wasn’t a total trainwreck, but you wouldn’t mistake me for Aristotle either. After lots and lots of practicing, hours of listening to the Rocky theme song prior to class, and self-motivation, my last speech was a success.
Everyone has their own way of calming public speaking nerves and motivating themselves, including our speakers.
Mitchell Zuckoff, author of Lost in Shangri-La, describes his public speaking experiences including his appearance on The Daily Show:
“I’m pretty calm about speaking engagements (it must be all the time I spend in classrooms with my students). As for motivation, I love talking about Lost in Shangri-La, so as long as I have an audience, I’m motivated! … On the other hand, I will admit to some nerves before doing The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. In that case, I made a mantra out of the company motto of Earl Walter’s 1st Recon Battalion, which led the rescue in Shangri-La. That motto was “Bahala-Na,” which comes from the Tagalog dialect of the Philippines. It translates as “Come What May!” The show went pretty well, so I guess it worked!”
Carmindy, from TLC’s What Not to Wear and author of Crazy Busy Beautiful, has a different method:
“Before I walk out on stage I say to myself “I Got This” then I walk out on stage and totally forget about myself. I think ONLY of exactly the message I want to relay to the audience and choose one woman who becomes my main focal point. Even as I scan the room talking I come back to her and think even if I can empower only her… my job is done.”
There is a way to make your dislike for public speaking disappear. For inspiration check out Mitchell Zuckoff and Carmindy working their magic.
Mitchell Zuckoff on The Daily Show
