Chapter 3: Coping With Speech Anxiety
Speech anxiety is a result of our subjective interpretation of the arousal we experience when called on to speak publicly. Some degree of arousal is necessary for an effective speech, although too much can result in a poor speech. To control speech anxiety, you must search for the source of your anxiety. The most common sources are a pessimistic attitude, inadequate preparation, negative or insufficient experience, unrealistic goals, inaccurate perception of the audience, negative self-talk, and misdirected concerns. Once you discover the sources of the anxiety, you should attack the anxiety directly. Develop an optimistic attitude, do not procrastinate, look for opportunities to gain experience, set realistic goals, realize your audience wants you to succeed, practice constructive self-talk, and direct your concerns at important issues. You can also use visual imagery and practice techniques to make your body relax under stressful conditions. Remember that some level of arousal is natural and almost everyone experiences it. Moreover, moderate levels are necessary for effective public speaking.
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