Did you know there is a name for it? I didn’t know! After suffering from it for years, I should have known! I even took a class on it in college. Did it help? Not really. Probably not the best start to this blog right?
I am terrified of public speaking. I have done it quite a bit, but it is so hard! So why would I do it if I am so scared of it? Good question – I wonder that myself. Believe it or not there is a method to this madness, I promise.
You might have heard that anxiety and avoidance are best friends – the more we avoid the more anxiety we get about something. So keeping that in mind, I try to challenge the things that scare me on a regular basis to keep my anxiety ‘workable’. It can be a slippery slope if we avoid something for too long, so finding little ways to challenge ourselves is a great way to not let things get out of hand.
Here are some things to try if you want to start challenging yourself:
I’ve said it before, and I will say it again: work WITH what you have rather than against it. Try something small just outside of your comfort zone – speaking up at a meeting, telling a story amongst a larger group of friends or family, volunteering at a new organization. These are great ways to challenge aspects of glossophobia. As your confidence grows, continue to build on the challenge. There are organizations like Toastmasters that offer great training and support if you are looking to really master the art of public speaking.
What to keep in mind – it seems that we all worry about similar things, therefore when you do speak up no one wants you to fail – they are all just thankful it is not them that has to get up there and speak!