When it comes to public speaking, according to common “top fear” lists, some of us would rather be dead than deliver a speech. On listverse.com, writer Caty Medrano compiled her idea of “top 10 strong human fears.” What I like about her list is that it deals in the drives behind fears:
- Losing your freedom
- The unknown
- Pain
- Disappointment
- Misery
- Loneliness
- Ridicule
- Rejection
- Death
- Failure
It’s not hard to see why public speaking ranks high as a fear. One tool I use to override the jitters is thinking of something funny as I look out at the audience. My body relaxes, my face smiles, my memory opens up, and my body language unconsciously reassures the audience. My favorite funny thing to think of is from the show, The Golden Girls, where the girls help each other conquer their phobias. As they find out in an episode of the same name, Franklin Roosevelt knew what he was talking about when he said,Ę“You have nothing to fear but fear itself.”