Strong Tips to Cure Stage-Fright

There are many ways to overcome a fear of public speaking. This Article looks at a method which is widely used by many different types of people, often with beneficial results allowing people to effectively communicate publicly and beat stage fright. This practice is commonly used in NLP (Neuro-linguistic programming) and is often referred to as ‘modeling’. This process involves studying someone who is an idol to you, someone who does what you want to be able to do with complete ease an confidence. By emulating the person you admire, you can in fact change your behavior and rid yourself of a public speaking fear. In fact NLP practitioners state that this process not only works for fear of public speaking but for all other phobias too and can produce positive results all aspects of your life. Follow these tips to successfully ‘model’ your idol and speak effectively.

1. Identify

Pick someone who totally embodies what you want to become – in terms of beating your fear. If you lack confidence then you may want to pick someone who oozes it and has no problems with public speaking. This can be someone you know, or someone you have watched speak before, even an actor. If you have trouble with the tone or quality of your voice you may want to pick one of the public speaking greats, or even a President. Each person is individual, but the more you respect your role model the more successful you will be in this exercise.

2. Study
Now you have chosen your role-model it’s time to put a bit of effort in and spend time studying him or her. Try and watch videos of them in action (try YouTube or perhaps rent something they appear in). Notice their mannerisms, how do they talk? What is their body language like? Try to notice all the tiny details and remember them, write them down if you have difficulty in doing theirs.

3. Become One
This is the hardest part, but once you master it you will find it easy to emulate almost anyone. Some people find it easier to do this exercise with their eyes closed. See your role model in front of you, add small details to make them more 3 dimensional and life like. Then imagine yourself stepping into their body and take on all of their positive characteristics. Feel your body language mimicking theirs. Adjust your quality of voice and feel your confidence shoot up. Try and feel exactly how your role model would.

4. Keep Practicing

Keep visualizing yourself as the role model until you really believe you are them. It is important not just to ‘copy’ them but to actually be them to take on their attributes that you want to have. This might take a while but once you feel this way you will be able to overcome your fear of public speaking.

If you don’t feel it working for you perhaps change who your role model is. It’s okay to think outside of the box, your role model can be an athlete, or musician – even your grandma, as long as they totally embody thing you want to have. Good luck!