Friday, March 29, 2024 | Ramadan 18, 1445 H
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EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

Why fear public speaking?

The stage fear need not be just on stage instead it could be the result of never having had the opportunity to practise public speaking. It may need not be in a classroom setting
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@lakshmioman -


Should we have a fear for public speaking? People who have so much to say often take a back seat. They might have solutions to the problem but they prefer to keep to themselves. So there - a solution never sees the sunlight.


So why are some ready to speak up and share their thoughts while others are hesitant?


The stage fear need not be just on stage instead it could be the result of never having had the opportunity to practise public speaking. It may need not be in a classroom setting.


Although the memory of public speaking classes are still fresh in mind and the realisation of knowing when the fright turned out to be a dilemma between fight or flight between thoughts, winning was to have a successful conversation. It seemed then it was one sided with the rest of the people seated as audience and thus became a successful speech.


So what is that frightens us? If you have ever gone through this feeling walk with me step by step. Was it the worry of having an effective speech and writing it right? Was it the fear of forgetting the matter in between while you are delivering the speech? Or is it the fear of being judged? Are we worried about voice and diction?


So let us rewind and go back to being a conversationalist. How interesting are we as a conversationalist? Are we able to capture the listener’s attention or did you have their eyes look for a clock on the wall or have them look at their wrist watch or glance at their mobile phone?


Have you been talking about a topic that is absolutely irrelevant to the listener?


So often, dominating speakers while in a conversation forget to give the listener a chance to speak. It can only be a conversation if all parties are participating. There are often situations where the other parties in the conversation shy away and hold their breath along with what they would have liked to say - if only they could overcome their shyness.


Not to forget the intellectuals who might want to give it a miss so they would rather be silent.


But for most people the hesitation can be overcome by a simple thought process.


Whether we are skilled or not one thing is for sure - we all have opinions. And that too opinions on almost every topic whether we know the matter or not.


Now, maybe this opinion is what we carefully work on to practise public speaking.


Take the opportunity today to summarise your opinion on a topic that is current. Play the conversation in your mind and then talk about it with a close friend or an understanding family member. Take time to complete the sentences and express the concept clearly. There, according to me, you have taken the first step toward practicing public speaking. However, in the process please do not become a full fledged opinionated person.


A good communicator is someone who is open minded. While in the process talking to a mirror can also be effective. In other words no excuses on shying away from public speaking. Like any other art, public speaking too needs practicing.


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