Even celebrities get the public speaking blues
“I was sitting there hoping they wouldn’t call my name – because the idea of having to give a speech in front of everyone in the world is terrifying.” — Reese Witherspoon, on her anxiety before winning the 2006 Oscar for Best Actress for “Walk the Line.”
For those of us who have watched celebrites and other public figures give terror-stricken acceptance speeches…let us remember that we’re all human and we all get nervous in front of large (and small) audiences. Don’t be too hard on yourself if you’re still extremely nervous before giving a speech that you’ve rehearsed extensively. The most important thing is to stick it out and give that speech.
Some of the most successful (and wealthiest) speakers I know are still nervous before facing their audience. The key thing is that they know to expect these nerves, to practice, practice, and practice, and then to get out in front of their audiences anyway.
The only way to get over a fear of public speaking is to feel the fear…and do it anyway.
Thanks for the great post. It is so true that the only way to do is just to get out there and do it. Susan Jeffers book “Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway” really helped me to get past that initial “frozen paranoia”. I’m still scared when I have to do presentations for work, but at least I don’t freak out!
You’re so right. Even some the most talented, professional, and well-paid speakers I know get nervous before facing their audiences. The difference is that they expect to feel the fear, they prepare for it, and they never back down in the face of it.
Thanks for sharing your opinion!