How to Overcome Stage Fear |
Stage Fear is very common problem
in professionals today. It is very easy for people to make comments and speak
in front of known people but the major problem arises when we have to speak in front
of people to whom we rarely know.
Communication skills are one of
the pre-requisite today life style. Fear is nothing but the lack of knowledge
which gives us feeling of risk and uncertainty. The good news about stage
fear is we can remove this fear from our lives and will communication with as
many people as we want to communicate through stage.
“It is just like a game how better you talk to yourself before
addressing your audience will make all difference” people usually start making judgments about
your before you speak anything on stage. You need to present in the moment.
Here below are some of the very
easy yet trusted practices which will help you to overcome your stage fear and
will make you very excellent communicator in life. Let’s discuss in detail:
1.
Do Proper Research about the Topic:
It is really
very important to do research about the topic on which you are going to discuss
with your audience. You can do research
through books, internet, journals etc related to your topic. Never give presentation
for the sake of giving it. Always keep in mind when you speak you have to make
sense and grab your audience focus on topic. You can engage them through storytelling,
& with examples, but to do all this you need to have grip on your topic and
it only comes with preparation and practice.
2.
Use Easy and Simple Language:
There is a misconception
that you have to use jargon's and difficult words to give an impressive presentation
on stage. Keep in mind always use language according to your audience and then
deliver. Keep very thing very simple and precise so that people can able to
relate it as soon as you speak. “Your creativity, innovation, courage, etiquette,
confidence and presence of mind plays very critical role while speaking with
large audience”.
3.
Practice
in front of Mirror:
There is no
substitute of practice, the more you practice the more you get confidence. For public
speaking or stage speaking practice in front of mirror is very important. Reason
behind is that when you address the audience you will know how exactly you look
like i.e. the way you carry yourself, your body posture, facial expressions
etc.
4.
Be in
the Best Attire:
Looks do play an
important role when you stand on stage. Wear formal’s which comforts you and
the kind of event you are going to discuss. Dress neat and clean, use light fragrance
perfume & smell good, wear clean footwear’s, groom properly take hair cut,
clean shave etc. Keep in mind once you stand on stage people have to get
impressed by the way you carry and speak with them all this boost your self-confidence.
5.
Keep
Smile while Greeting Audience:
People like and
attracts towards smiling faces. There is a huge difference between smile and
laugh. You need to know when to smile and when to take pause, it will
give time to audience to think over what you speak and you get time to recall what
next you are going to deliver.
6.
Take Deep Breath & Be Calm:
While standing
on stage nervousness and anxiety makes you uncomfortable so here is a simple
trick to overcome that you just need to take deep breath and concentrate about
what you have ready. Over stage you can
star with greetings, take deep breath and confess about your nervousness then take
a minute pause and meditate rather say close your eyes and concentrate and
start your presentation.
7.
Be Interactive with your Audience:
You have to
built connection with your audience by making eye contacts, engaging the in one
on one interaction, ask questions, be emphatic and attentive when you audience
respond to you may take pause by drinking water after asking a question on
share some thought on which you want your audience to think. Make them feel special and try to make it a
two-way communication. It helps both you and audience. The more you make
audience comfortable the more they support you.
8.
Have Positive Body Language:
Here you need to
focus on your non verbal communication skills, keep your head high and body
straight it shows self-respect, do a firm hand shakes, keep smiling, be polite
yet assertive, your appearance, facial expression, gestures & postures,
voice tone and proximity. Stop self negative talks and focus on what you have
and how you deliver.
9.
Only You Knows, What You Don’t Know:
It is very
common that on stage usually people get stuck, sometimes get blanked and this
will give you moment of self insult but the game changer are those who overcome
as soon as it happens. When you are
addressing the audience you only knows what you are going to discuss and if
some points may get shuffled, it doesn’t matter because your audience never
know what you going to speak next.
10.
Give
your Best & Prepare for the Worst:
Last but not the
least while doing public/stage speaking you never know how your audience react
so you need keep focus on what you want to deliver and if something not going in
the way you want so don’t get stuck or fearful, but you have to use your
creativity and promptness by giving quick answers to take lead of your audience
minds.
The only rule for success is how well you prepared and how well you deliver in case of stage speaking. There are times you may fail initially but gradually with practice and preparation you succeed to overcome your stage fear. These tips and tricks are which based on practical life experiences of professionals.
Use these tips in your day-to-day life and enhance your personality.