How to Reduce Anxiety in Public Speaking

The very next day I was due to give a rather longer presentation about myself and my business at a contacts morning. The seminar I had just attended proved very useful, as it gave me another chance to refresh my knowledge of body language during public speaking. But what helped me most were the words of encouragement and the practical tips for organising one's thinking so that emotions don't interfere. Because, as we know, everything starts in the mind.

First comes a thought, then emotions follow, then action, behaviour, or words, and the result, the outcome, emerges. When you are not satisfied with the result, it is a mistake to begin analysing your actions, behaviour, or words. You need to dig deeper and start analysing the thoughts that were occupying your mind at that moment. Whether they were sufficiently ordered.

Oskars repeated it several times during the seminar - watch your thoughts! The emotions that thoughts create are reflected in body language and micro-expressions, and they cannot be hidden; however hard you try, your conversation partner or listener reads them perfectly.

I like his insight about the owner's mindset. A couple of years ago I heard Oskars say in one of his talks - live with the owner's consciousness within you. How that resonated! That is precisely what each of us Latvians sometimes lacks. But in public speaking too, you must maintain this owner's mindset - I am my own master, master of my body, my thoughts; I am the master of my life, of this situation.

Tips for public speaking

• The first impression MATTERS. The first 3–4 seconds, the first sentence you utter, the words in the first 10 seconds. Advice: write and memorise word-for-word 3–4 sentences for how you will begin your talk.
  
• Don't overestimate the importance of your own personality. Bear in mind that the speaker is an object which the audience uses to obtain information that is useful and interesting to them.
  
• Always think about your visual image. It must not be left to chance. Your clothing is yet another way to influence how your message is received.
  
• Always speak with a purpose - whether overt or hidden, known only to yourself. Without a purpose, there's no point opening your mouth. There is already so much information around us - so why should anyone receive yours in particular?
  
• It is advisable to prepare notes each time - on small cards or on larger sheets of paper. Don't rely solely on the information prepared in your presentation slides.
  
• When speaking in public, don't touch your face! Don't touch anything above the shoulders.
  
• To learn to "read" other people, start with yourself! Begin "reading" yourself. Observe your posture, gestures, accompanying emotions, and thoughts. Analyse situations where you liked the result. Note what thoughts about yourself were in your head at that time. How you saw yourself then - and try to replicate that.
  
• Being big is good, especially in front of an audience where you need to look and sound confident. Broad gestures, an open, upright posture, a confident gait, arms at the sides. Arm movements should originate from the shoulders, not just from the elbow.
  
• Stand firmly with both feet on the ground - so firmly that even if someone tried to give you a light push, they would not be able to move you from the spot.
  
• Don't look over the heads of the audience. Make eye contact with several listeners, look for supportive faces in the room, return to them, and linger there. This will give you a sense of encouragement.
  
• The best fight is the one that never happens. From the very outset, demonstrate confidence in every word you say - and there will be fewer, or none at all, who try to interject or challenge what you have to say.