I was in a situation recently where I had to give an hour-long presentation to a group who had an interest in hypnotherapy. 

Whether you know it or not, what most Americans fear more than anything else is public speaking. I am no different.

Like others, I have experienced nervousness, mental blanks, shortness of breath and that darned thumping of my heart as I prepare to deliver my presentation.

I have found that once I get going, within 10 to 15 seconds, my nervousness goes away, replaced by a confidence in my topic and in my presentation.

To be relaxed with public speaking takes practice and steel will.

Don’t give in to the nervousness created by the conscious reaction over which you initially feel you have no control. A little nervousness is good, just not to the point you are so nervous you cannot think, let alone speak. This fear is debilitating, and it may hinder one’s career progress.

There is no secret to good public speaking. The key is a good solid understanding of the topic.  Have a mental image of your self-confidence and understand that your audience usually knows less about the subject than you.

I have helped many people recover from this fear. In one instance a very attractive sales person asked me for help as she was being given a sales award and needed to make an acceptance speech. She was very worried.

Learning to Conquer

Her concern was based on a previous experience in which she was also awarded a sales performance prize. On her way to the podium, she tripped on her high heels and ended up face first in the buffet table, which collapsed.

This experience, three years earlier, played on her mind, leading her to try to find a way out of having to accept her award. She knew that not appearing would affect her career negatively. 

She was an excellent hypnotic subject. Whilst in hypnosis, an image was presented to her of confidence, importance, success and prosperity. I combined this with telling her to walk carefully and avoid any obstacles.

On the big day, she walked calmly and confidently to the podium.  Avoiding  obstacles, she took a deep breath, smiled and gave her acceptance speech. She was a huge success. Within one month,  she was promoted to Regional Sales Manager. To this day, public speaking is not an issue for her.

A salesman I knew was having some trouble in meeting his monthly sales quota. He did not know why. He came to see me, aware that in my career history I had been a top sales person in three different companies both here and in Australia.

He was uncomfortable giving any type of speaking presentation. This was a problem because he had to speak to groups at least twice a week. He said he could not shake his nervousness, and he never changed his presentation for fear of making a mistake.

Another Pathway to Success

Once again, using hypnosis, he was able to see himself confidently, calmly giving speeches to receptive audiences. He visualized acceptance from the listeners about his topic. He visualized their enjoyment of his presentations. He also visualized his own success as a result of his impressive presentations.

Using these tools as well as being taught how to understand suggestibility (how people communicate) and certain characteristics of others, he was able to change the wording and style of his speech to appeal in the most effective way to the people he was trying to reach. Since overcoming his problems, he also is now a Regional Sales Manager.

When giving a speech, remember that the people you are talking to are just like you.  Know your topic. Be prepared to answer any questions. Stay focused. If your audience looks bored, inject a little humor. Or involve them. 

Before your speech, visualize yourself standing confidently at the podium, feeling calm and knowledgeable. Understand the people you are talking to want to be there. 

Being prepared subconsciously is your pathway to a successful presentation. Remember the conscious mind is going to make your body react to its perceived nervousness.  Those feelings will pass quickly because you are prepared.

Enlighten, teach, brighten, share, laugh, cry, generate enthusiasm, motivate and inspire confidence and success. Good luck.

A clinical hypnotherapist, handwriting analyst and certified  master hypnotist, Nicholas Pollak may be contacted at nickpollak@hypnotherapy4you.net