Ask HN: How to get rid of speech anxiety?

#1

Post by chckn » Wed, Jan 07, 2015, 12:55 PM UTC

I fear situation where I have to speak in front of larger groups of people (5+). The fear/panic is so strong that I can not think straight in such situations.

It hinders my personal and professional development. Right now I can not give a toast or take a position as a lead developer.

It is said that speech anxiety is quite common so my hope is to get some tipps on how to get rid of it.

What is the best therapy? What can I do besides therapy? Are there books worth reading?

Re: Ask HN: How to get rid of speech anxiety?

#2

Post by onion2k » Wed, Jan 07, 2015, 12:58 PM UTC

For me, there weren't magic solutions. The only thing that worked was to practise with small groups and work up to bigger groups.

Re: Ask HN: How to get rid of speech anxiety?

#3

Post by chckn » Wed, Jan 07, 2015, 1:07 PM UTC

onion2k wrote: post #2

For me, there weren't magic solutions. The only thing that worked was to practise with small groups and work up to bigger groups.

I dread practice but I know it is key.

What kind of groups did you practice with?

Re: Ask HN: How to get rid of speech anxiety?

#4

Post by davyjones » Wed, Jan 07, 2015, 1:15 PM UTC

There is self paced public speaking course on coursera.org.

Re: Ask HN: How to get rid of speech anxiety?

#5

Post by chckn » Wed, Jan 07, 2015, 1:24 PM UTC

davyjones wrote: post #4

There is self paced public speaking course on coursera.org.

I actually started it right before posting my question. Thanks anyway!

Re: Ask HN: How to get rid of speech anxiety?

#6

Post by onion2k » Wed, Jan 07, 2015, 1:26 PM UTC

chckn wrote: post #3

onion2k wrote: post #2

For me, there weren't magic solutions. The only thing that worked was to practise with small groups and work up to bigger groups.

I dread practice but I know it is key. What kind of groups did you practice with?

Technical meet ups, specifically Javascript. A technical crowd doesn't tend to be nasty if you're as rubbish as I was.

Re: Ask HN: How to get rid of speech anxiety?

#7

Post by aerialcombat » Wed, Jan 07, 2015, 2:04 PM UTC

For me, I had trouble when I thought those on the otherside were there to judge me and my performance as a speaker. But when I realised they are just there to listen and that it's ok if I F up, things got easier. It might help if you start with a smile and look through the eyes of each and every individual and see that they are smiling back at you. And also it's just like speaking in one-on-one situation.

Re: Ask HN: How to get rid of speech anxiety?

#8

Post by walterbell » Wed, Jan 07, 2015, 2:38 PM UTC

If you or your employer can afford the 12-week (one 3-hr class per week) Dale Carnegie course, it can likely solve your problem. There are courses in most major cities globally. Proven over decades.

You could also see a speech therapist to assess specific areas that need improvement.

The most valuable advice I received on reducing anxiety was to practice speaking on a topic in which you are the expert. There is one guaranteed topic in which you are the expert: your own life. Tell a 90-second story about a life experience that is meaningful to you. Audiences care about stories, not speaking. If you care about your material, they will care about what you say.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/work-in-progress/2012/04/19/publ...

Re: Ask HN: How to get rid of speech anxiety?

#9

Post by LarryMade2 » Wed, Jan 07, 2015, 3:25 PM UTC

Look in your community for a Toastmasters organization - their goal is to help with public speaking. They work on various activities to get you familiar with speaking in front of people, speeches on the fly, etc.

Re: Ask HN: How to get rid of speech anxiety?

#10

Post by debacle » Wed, Jan 07, 2015, 3:27 PM UTC

You need to just do it. Start going to local industry groups and presenting. Once you've done it half a dozen times, it will feel completely natural.