Why are you scared of public speaking?

**Posts:** 11 · by **weasel** » Tue Mar 29, 2011 2:24 am

I want to compile a list of reasons why people are scared of public speaking.

If we can identify these reasons, then maybe we can work out each one specifically?

**Posts:** 18 · by **dryicee399** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 4:21 pm

a lot of people may be afraid of making mistakes in front of people they don’t know.
For me I think its just being in the spotlight. I had to do a presentation in front of people I knew and I was speechless.

**Posts:** 9 · by **Tony James** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 6:42 pm

Hi Weasel,
There are many reasons that people are scared of public speaking and as with most fears they are often based on misunderstanding or lack of knowledge. Just to give one common example, many are scared that they will have a 'mind-blank' or dry up during their presentation. If, however, they have thoroughly prepared and practiced this will reduce the likelyhood of that happening. You may find some helpful blogs on the subject if you google; Tony James - Speaker Coach.
I imagine you will quickly gain a list of other reasons, as this is a very popular question. It is a shame that so many people who are quite at home speaking to another individual or circle of friends, 'freeze' at the thought of speaking to a larger group or 'audience', when with a little help and encouragement they could even get to enjoy it!

'speak' soon

kind regards

Tony James - 'The Coach with the Friendly Approach'

**Posts:** 239 · by **simonr** » Sat Apr 02, 2011 3:30 pm

It's a good question.

The problem is that in my experience no too people have exactly the same fears and exactly the same responses to the various techniques for dealing with those fears. I tend to spend a lot of time with my presentation skills clients working on this very subject!

That doesn't mean we should give up, of course, but it does mean that there's not going to be any one answer to your question.

Tony's comment that many people are afraid of making mistakes is right as far as it goes but I wonder if what you're really asking about is what lies, psychologically speaking, under that fear of making mistakes... it's a fairly primeval fear, after all.

That said, I think it's important we differentiate between nerves, anxiety, fear and phobia here. Many people have so little experience of doing anything challenging that they confuse these concepts, thinking they're 'phobic' for example, when in fact they're just normally (if very!) nervous.

Once I explain the differences to clients it's often very helpful for them.

Simon

**Posts:** 33 · by **krazykuvaas** » Sun Apr 03, 2011 5:10 pm

I'm simply worried that I'll appear to lack knowledge in the presentation topic (which is often true). I also don't have very much experience in this area which makes it harder. Still, preparing and practicing more is probably the solution for me.

**Posts:** 25 · by **whatelsecanido** » Mon Apr 04, 2011 4:45 am

Humiliated by a teacher in school while speaking in front of the class.
Took 18 years to get over it. :\

**Posts:** 18 · by **dryicee399** » Mon Apr 04, 2011 3:44 pm

I pulled this from a previous post.

Lenora M. Yuen, PhD., psychologist and coauthor of Procrastination: Why You Do It What to Do About It, believes that there are really two causes of procrastination: fear and low self-esteem.

Dr. Yuen contends that when people have a low sense of self-esteem, they look at the work they produce as a constant gauge of their own worth. They don’t worry about making mistakes because it might get them in trouble with the boss. They worry because any mistake they make means that they have failed as a person. Consequently, they don’t take that risk. They put things off. They procrastinate.

Say, for instance, that you delegated a project to someone who worries a lot about his or her self-esteem. This person tried their best, but unfortunately when the project concluded, it didn’t get the rave reviews they had hopped for. For this person, the result was, “Well, I obviously tried my best and my best wasn’t good enough. So, I must not be good enough either.” And he or she files that memory away.

Now, fast-forward to a new day when you must delegate another project to this person. He or she remembers what happened the last time and instinctively falls back on their defense mechanism – procrastination. The person puts the project off until the last minute and then makes a “last ditch” effort to get the project done in whatever time is left. Now, regardless of the outcome, the person can say, “This was not a true test of my ability. If I had more time, the outcome would have been different.”

**Posts:** 2 · by **carefree** » Mon Apr 04, 2011 5:13 pm

dryicee399 wrote:I pulled this from a previous post.

Lenora M. Yuen, PhD., psychologist and coauthor of Procrastination: Why You Do It What to Do About It, believes that there are really two causes of procrastination: fear and low self-esteem.

Dr. Yuen contends that when people have a low sense of self-esteem, they look at the work they produce as a constant gauge of their own worth. They don’t worry about making mistakes because it might get them in trouble with the boss. They worry because any mistake they make means that they have failed as a person. Consequently, they don’t take that risk. They put things off. They procrastinate.

Say, for instance, that you delegated a project to someone who worries a lot about his or her self-esteem. This person tried their best, but unfortunately when the project concluded, it didn’t get the rave reviews they had hopped for. For this person, the result was, “Well, I obviously tried my best and my best wasn’t good enough. So, I must not be good enough either.” And he or she files that memory away.

Now, fast-forward to a new day when you must delegate another project to this person. He or she remembers what happened the last time and instinctively falls back on their defense mechanism – procrastination. The person puts the project off until the last minute and then makes a “last ditch” effort to get the project done in whatever time is left. Now, regardless of the outcome, the person can say, “This was not a true test of my ability. If I had more time, the outcome would have been different.”

All of this is so true. This really helped me to learn more about myself. Thanks, but the question is how do we disassociate our worth from the work we produce or perform? Everyone judges you on what you have to say when you stand up in front to talk.

**Posts:** 2 · by **carefree** » Mon Apr 04, 2011 5:16 pm

whatelsecanido wrote:Humiliated by a teacher in school while speaking in front of the class.
Took 18 years to get over it. :\

Sorry to hear that. Happened to me too, a couple of times, with different teachers. How did you get over it?

**Posts:** 18 · by **dryicee399** » Mon Apr 04, 2011 6:36 pm

I'm not a professional, but i'm speaking from experience.
In the moment present in front of people you may feel like people are judging you. But are they really? do they really care? no. but how to get over that feeling?
does anyone have any suggestions

**Posts:** 25 · by **whatelsecanido** » Wed Apr 06, 2011 1:43 am

carefree wrote:
whatelsecanido wrote:Humiliated by a teacher in school while speaking in front of the class.
Took 18 years to get over it. :\

Sorry to hear that. Happened to me too, a couple of times, with different teachers. How did you get over it?

Used beta blocker for a little bit (propranolol) then eventually just did presentations without it> yes still get nervous but I am able to do it, unlike before the fear would make me stop myself with whatever excuse.

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