For decades, surveys from all over have consistently indicated that about 75% of the population tends to fear, or at a minimum, avoids public speaking. Studies done from various universities and media companies across the country – Forbes, The National Institutes of Health, and The Washington Post – have cited this staggering 75% statistic concerning America’s public speaking avoidance tendencies. In fact, public speaking has garnered so much notoriety through the years, that the “fear of public speaking” has coined its own eccentric term: glossophobia.
Take the quiz for some pointers on how to best structure presentations, leading to calm feelings and reduced anxiety. Though it will take time, the effort that you pour into setting yourself up well for presentations and public speaking in general will be worthwhile; you may find that you enjoy the leadership and further opportunities that come your way through your newfound skills.
Associated along with glossophobia are a slew of anxiety manifestations that present in our bodies, from shaking limbs to digestive problems. And as many of us know from our experiences with anxiety, it tends to start with our mental patterns and subsequently spread throughout our bodies in various, grueling ways. This is potentially one of the reasons that public speaking can be so debilitating; it often results in crippling and embarrassing physical symptoms for the speaker, not to mention the standard nervousness or “butterflies” that already tend to accompany public speaking. Yet the unfortunate reality is that at one time or another, most of us will eventually have to make a presentation of sorts, whether professionally or casually. For the few amongst us who relish in the opportunity to speak or present to a crowd, this is a happy reality, but for the rest of us, it’s crucial for us to face our fears and learn to manage what is the widespread and normal occurrence that is public speaking.
Facing those pesky public speaking fears can feel like taking on a monster, but imagine the freedom you would feel in certain areas of your life if public speaking didn’t take up quite as much anxious space in your head. More generally, events would feel less daunting. Perhaps you’d be freed up professionally, able to take on more presentations or lead more meetings. On a more personal note, you could share more memories or stories at weddings and family reunions.
