Taking the step

Most clients come to Target Talk because they really, truly dislike speaking in public. As a kind of doctor I carefully listen to them describing their symptoms. They tell me that once they start talking in front of an audience, things go from fine to very bad. In some cases they are not afraid before they have to speak and they still hope and believe that things will go fine. But, then things start happening that they cannot seem to control. Their voice starts shaking, chest tightens, eyes close in an effort to focus, hands move randomly and breathing quickens. By the time a minute or two have passed they seem to have lost the initial confidence and things just don't get better. Their presentation ends up being a flop, at least in their eyes. The audience doesn't look interested. Worse of all, my clients often start unjustly to feel as an overall failure. If you ever failed at anything, you know the vicious circle it begets. You know about getting it wrong, so for some reason you continue getting it wrong, and as you have no experience of success, it seems like you never will get it right. I would like to say- there is a magic solution and one day you will just wake up being a great presenter- but this would be a lie. What I can say is that fear of public speaking, when it is completely blocking and debilitating is a serious problem that has to be dealt with from an early age. We should encourage children and teens to speak to their class in schools on a variety of topics without ever ridiculing them. We should teach children how to be responsive and polite audiences. Most importantly we should push the idea that every, and I mean every person, has valid points to make, interesting stories to tell and important information to share. When we see that a child or a youngster has issues with speaking in public we should offer help immediately. As adults we cannot go back anymore to this sensitive time in our childhoods when wounds are inflicted and when fears are usually created. We can however look for people that can give us the positive push we all need- and public speaking coaches should fulfil this purpose. To help you find the hidden gems inside and get your confidence back. It is a long journey and a tough one, but anyone who decides to embark on it is brave.