Introduction to our Zurich public speaking class

Public speaking anxiety is a common challenge that many individuals face when delivering presentations. It can cause nervousness, fear, and stress, leading to ineffective communication and missed opportunities. Impact Presenting’s Zurich Public Speaking Class in 2021 provided participants with insights and tools to overcome public speaking anxiety and become confident and effective speakers. In this blog post, we will delve deeper into the insights learned during the course. 

Our open-enrollment public speaking classes always have a mix of nationalities and occupations. This time, the group consisted of 2 scientists working for a Swiss company (1 from Switzerland, 1 from Germany) and a Swedish communications and marketing manager who lives and works in Zurich. Since there was still a pandemic going on, we masked up for the photo (but during class, we had 50 m2/600 sq ft for just 3 people, so we could unmask comfortably)

Understanding Public Speaking Anxiety:

Public speaking anxiety is a fear of speaking in front of an audience, which can cause emotional distress. It is a common condition affecting individuals of all skill levels, from beginners event up to experienced speakers. The fear can be caused by several factors, including fear of judgment, fear of failure, and fear of forgetting what to say. This anxiety can be enhanced when explaining specialized or scientific concepts to non-experts because we worry they wont understand what we are trying to tell them. 

In this public speaking class we offered 5 Tips to Overcome Public Speaking Anxiety:

Key takeaways from the Zurich Public Speaking class

1 -Practice, Practice, Practice:

One of the most effective ways to overcome public speaking anxiety is to practice. The more you practice, the more comfortable you will feel when presenting. Practicing your presentation in front of a mirror or a friend can help you identify areas that need improvement and help you become more comfortable with your content.

2- Visualize Success:

Visualizing success can help reduce anxiety and build confidence. Visualize yourself delivering your presentation with confidence and poise, receiving positive feedback from your audience, and achieving your desired outcome. Think about the approval from your teammates, your boss, or client. Think of the career chances which are given to those who get in front of a group and can deliver a powerful message.

3 – Deep Breathing Exercises:

Deep breathing exercises can help you calm your nerves and reduce anxiety. Before presenting, take deep breaths in and out, and focus on your breath. This will help you relax and calm your nerves. Breathe in (through your nose) counting to 3 seconds, hold for 6 seconds, then exhale for 6 seconds. Do this over 10 breaths and you’ll feel more relaxed!

4 -Positive Self-Talk:

Positive self-talk can help you build confidence and overcome negative thoughts. Instead of telling yourself, “I’m going to mess up,” tell yourself, “I am confident and prepared to deliver this presentation.” According to a Harvard Study by Alison Woods Brooks, positive self-talk that “I am excited” instead of the usual “Calm down” resulted in a perception of higher confidence, competence, and persuasiveness when performing public speaking in front of live audiences. Read more here: https://www.hbs.edu/ris/Publication%20Files/xge-a0035325%20(2)_0287835d-9e25-4f92-9661-c5b54dbbcb39.pdf 

5- Focus on Your Message:

When presenting, focus on your message and the value you are providing to your audience. Not your insecurities. This will help you stay focused and confident, and reduce anxiety.

Case Study: Participant C

Participant C was a scientific executive who struggled with public speaking anxiety. She hated presenting in front of large audiences, and when she did present, she would become nervous and forget or overcomplicate her content. After attending the class, Participant C reported significant improvements in her public speaking abilities. She learned several techniques to overcome anxiety, including practicing her presentations, deep breathing exercises, and positive self-talk. Participant C felt more confident and comfortable when presenting and was able to deliver her presentations with ease and effectiveness.

Conclusion: Was attending a public speaking class worth it?

If you are interested in joining our next public speaking class in your city, see our main page “open-enrollment” section for cities and dates! https://impactpresenting.com/#OEPSC