Fear of Public Speaking is a Good Thing. (Really!)

Everyone I coach is nervous about their next presentation. It’s understandable and it’s good. Hell, I’m nervous about my next speech on January 6, 2009. Not sweaty palms, throat constructed, “I’d rather be dead” nervous, but I’m still thinking about it, even on the holiday break.

Great presenters always fret the next presentation, speech or leadership talk. Every rock star presenter that you envy understands “the willies” can be channeled to create the energy necessary to wow the audience. So, please don’t wish for the jitters to go away! Your body is telling you, “You’re in for a fight. Get ready.”

If you harness this anxiety you’ll be able to heighten your senses, intellect, creativity and drive. Use it to deliver a powerful performance, receive encouragement and insightful questions from the audience and you’ve climbed a major hurdle: you’ve kicked a little tail on those presentation fears. Unlike all those other Mike Bradys out there, I don’t want to talk you out of your fear.

It's smart to be concerned about your next presentation. Your anxiety shows me that you’re perceptive, not paranoid. Now you can use it to your advantage.

Next time: what you need to realize about the audience members who will be in front of you.

Answer this question first, win a MW CD!

If you’d like to win your very own Mark Wiskup audio CD “YOU CAN BE A GREAT COMMUNICATOR,” just be the first to e-mail me with the answer to this trivia question.

The narrator of this classic tale of unemployment and homelessness seeks three things. What are they? Here's your clue and the set up.

This is a portion of his rambling, class conscious soliloquy, including the poignantly improper grammar.

He said, ‘I don’t know man. Ah, She kinda funny, you know...’

I said, ‘I know! Everybody funny. Now you funny too.’

Fine Print: Due to the total bummer of high international postage rates, the trivia prize competition is open only to North American residents...I'm sorry.

Everyone else: Good luck.

Happy holidays to all!