Read the article about how to practice in Hilma.

Almost everyone has a fear of public speaking

Communication, and presentations in particular, can be either incredibly enjoyable or a challenging experience. Much of this depends on the connection we manage to establish with our audience. You might wonder why the fear of speaking in front of others can be so intense, especially when discussing something you're familiar with. Many people experience varying degrees of fear, from mild anxiety to severe stage fright. However, understanding the sources of this stress can help create more comfortable conditions for presenting.

At its core, all communication is social and human, regardless of whether it's a presentation, sales pitch, or training session. In these scenarios, you are closely connected to your content and what you're about to say. Despite this, you remain human throughout the process.

Speech anxiety often stems from a fear of isolation or being judged. The concern that what you say might lead to exclusion or social embarrassment can be overwhelming. Just the thought of being excluded can trigger significant stress and panic for some.

It's not enough to simply convince yourself that presenting is fun; it's essential to know that you’re achieving the reactions you want from your audience. Feeling assured that your message is resonating and having the desired impact is key to overcoming anxiety and making the experience enjoyable.

Why is this situation experienced as so difficult by so many?

The brain is naturally designed for communication. You want something, you express it, and you expect and rely on feedback. This explains why many people can talk confidently about their job in a casual setting, like at a dinner table, but feel paralyzed when trying to deliver the same content on stage.

It's not surprising, then, that speaking in front of a large audience can feel unnatural and uncomfortable. The brain struggles with being the sole speaker in a setting where reactions are not immediate or as expected. Often, listeners don’t have the chance to react because the presentation isn’t structured to invite interaction.

In such situations, the fear arises from the heightened self-consciousness of being watched by many. When all eyes are on you, it’s easy to become overly focused on yourself and your own anxieties.

Strategies that can worsen the feeling

As social beings, we naturally strive for acceptance from those around us.

Many of us focus heavily on avoiding criticism, which can lead to an unhealthy preoccupation with being flawless and correct. This often results in overwhelming your audience with too much information, making visual aids counterproductive. Listeners struggle to decipher overloaded images, leading to a loss of connection and increasing your sense of isolation.

When you become overly concerned with being faultless, you shift your focus from how your message is received to merely surviving the presentation. This self-focused approach heightens speech anxiety, as you are primarily worried about yourself rather than the audience.

To improve the situation, shift your focus to the listeners in front of you. By being curious about their reactions, you become less self-absorbed and more engaged. This approach helps create a positive relationship with your audience, similar to a conversation at the dinner table. In fact, this connection can be even more rewarding, as the reactions of a larger audience can amplify your sense of engagement.

It's the listeners that make you feel secure.

The key to feeling secure during a presentation is to connect closely with your listeners, as all communication fundamentally relies on relationships and reactions. We remain human, even when speaking to a large audience, and we don't change how we listen just because others are present. The goal is to make listeners feel informed, not foolish.

When you successfully engage your audience and receive the responses you're aiming for, your anxiety diminishes, and communication becomes enjoyable. To achieve this, structure your presentation with points that elicit reactions. By using Hilma's milestones, you can clearly define these points and make it easier to prompt and respond to audience reactions.

The secret is to focus on your listeners and craft your presentation with their needs in mind. Hilma's storylines and milestones are designed with your audience in mind.

So, get to know your presentation material well, allowing you to look up, engage with your listeners, and observe their reactions. It's the audience that provides the sense of security you need. Much like a conversation at the lunch table, engaging with your listeners can be straightforward. Remember, your audience will feel satisfied if they understand why they listened and leave with valuable insights and empowerment.