SPEAKER'S ANXIETY: part one

LET THOSE BUTTERFLIES TAKE FLIGHT

It's been said that people fear public speaking more than they fear death. Well, if someone put a a gun to my temple, I would speak my heart out.

All of us get anxious--it's a natural human reaction to "what's next?" or "will they like me?" So, the first step is to recognize that even the best of actors and speakers feel those butterflies. What is different, is that seasoned presenters allow those butterflies to take flight, using their anxiety to energize their work.

Feel a nervous twitch in your hand? Use a dramatic gesture. Your hand is telling you it wants to play a bigger part in your performance. If your chest feel tight, take a deep breath, and speak as if you are in the Colisseum, reaching the crowds and hordes at a great distance.

Is your leg shaking? Do a walk across the stage or around the podium. Your leg wants to get involved.