5 Ways To Gain Courage In Front Of An Audience

I use these five ways to gain confidence and courage whenever I have to speak before a large crowd or audience.


It really works.


If you are like me, you may have a tendency to get nervous before addressing a large crowd.


Don't ever lose heart. That's normal. I think that fear of speaking in front of an audience stems from the worry of looking bad, or perhaps the dread of making a mistake. It is really no big deal.


Here are 5 tools I use to cure that.



1. Breathe.



Breathe calmly and deliberately deep. When I am nervous or fearful, my breathing may quicken or get shallow. Sometimes that can get me lightheaded. That doesn't help. Breathing properly sends a physiological message of calmness that translates into psychological calmness.



2. Smile.



This helps me to establish a friendly vibe and it takes a bit of the edge off. Plus, I find it ridiculously impossible to be nervous with a sincere smile on my face.

3. Think of someone you love.

By doing this, I tap into resources of great courage and inspiration. It is magical and it is real. Try it. Being nervous or fearful seems a million miles away when I do this.

4. Deliver the message with sincerity and honesty.

Yup. People can sense B.S. instantly --And that can usually can make for a tough crowd. If I just stick to the facts, and convey my message from the heart, it has a calming effect on me. I connect with the audience in a real way. Things go smoother.

5. Remember that NOBODY is perfect.

I don't have to be perfect either. This is a paradox-- When I try to be perfect I end up making more mistakes and I get more nervous. When I accept the possibility that I will screw up in front of an audience, I oddly make less mistakes, and gain more confidence.