“Decide that you want it more than you are afraid of it.” Bill Cosby

The question that I am most asked is, “How do you overcome the fear of speaking to a group?” In the early days, I did experience everything from shaky legs to cotton mouth, but today I don’t feel any jitters, even if I’m speaking in front of several hundred people. I have completely conquered that fear and in fact, when I’m waiting to be introduced, I can’t wait to get on the stage.

I learned a valuable lesson from an unknown speaker in my past. She said she always put a post-it note on the lectern that said: “Remember, it’s not about you!” I truly believe fear comes from focusing on yourself and not on your audience. Become excited about what great wisdom you have to give your audience and not focused on how your hair looks or will I remember everything. Be excited about carrying on a conversation with your audience.

I once gave a speech to 200 women with my zipper wide open. No lectern to hide behind to correct the situation either. Once you have had an experience like that, nothing should be fearful!
There could probably be a book written about all the strange things that have happened during my speeches. Experience helps alleviate fear.

Place your focus in the right place and watch the fear disappear.