“Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.” Most of us feel more vulnerable speaking in front of a group of attentive people. The spotlight is on us and with it the weight of responsibility and expectation. Toastmaster international provides an opportunity to overcome this fear.

Why is speaking in public so terrifying? The roots of this fear go back to the beginning of the human race into the depths of the human brain. Stepping out to the lectern triggers a fight, flight or freeze response in us.

Through encouragement and support, we in Toastmasters acquire the habit of courage. There is at least a small fear involed in almost every new endeavour, from skydiving to the first time you give your first speech. Pratice and repetition will gradually diminish those fears. Once the fear is conquered and faced we are propelled into a life with larger ambitions.

Here are four useful tips to help alleviate this fear:

1. Be“other conscious”. Replace your self-consciousness with other-consciousness. Make an effort to concentrate on your audience.

2. Anxiety feels worse than it looks: do not draw attention to your self-doubts and nobody will know about them.

3. Make it look easy: the audience wants to hear the speech rather than the speaker.

Successful speaking requires a measure of humility. A speech easily delivered is gladly received. To make your speech seem easier, vary the rate of your delivery.

4. Let yourself be encouraged: once you have faced fear and prevailed, you stand taller, feel stronger and stride through life with greater confidence.