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Westside Toastmasters is located in Los Angeles and Santa Monica, California

Keys to Breaking Through the Fear Barrier

  • Admit your fear; understand its sources.

  • Tap the energy that fear produces.

  • Recognize that fear is normal for public speakers.

  • Realize your fear doesn't have to show.

  • Visualize yourself as a powerful speaker.

  • See the audience as your ally; focus on its needs.

  • Speak about something you care about.

  • Combine preparation with practice.

  • Devise tricks to psych out your fear.

  • Think positively about yourself.

By keeping these steps in mind, you can put fear in its place and get on with the career-enhancing opportunities that await you by becoming an excellent and persuasive public speaker.

Professional Projects: Work on Your Fear

  1. Decide on your personal action plan for controlling your fear. For example: If your voice shakes when you give a presentation, tell yourself that you are going to practice deep breathing the next time you have to begin speaking. Write it on an index card and study it before each presentation.

  2. Never avoid a chance to present. List three opportunities where you could volunteer to speak and when and how you will arrange to be the speaker. Commit to speak up at least once in every meeting you attend.

  3. Decide on which visualization technique works best for you and then practice it conscientiously.


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