The tremor in your voice might sound like a jackhammer in your own head, but ask friends in the audience about it afterwards, and they probably didn t notice it. Even if your nervousness shows, your listeners usually are unlikely to object to it. Overcoming fear and appearing confident Once you resign yourself to a certain degree of nervousness, then you can start practising some of the physical techniques for controlling it. Chief among these is deep breathing. The extra oxygen is soothing and the deliberate pacing of your breaths causes your heart-beat to slow down.
Athletes also psyche themselves up before performing.
When they charge out aggressively, they are unconsciously putting into practice psychologist William James theory that actions can evoke feelings. James wrote that if we deliberately act as if we are brave, a courage fit will very likely replace the fit of fear. Carnegie s title was instructive. Many men and women who have suffered agonies of shyness have found the self-assurance they needed to get along in the world by taking public speaking courses. People accustomed to talking to groups develop an air of poise which can be invaluable in meeting strangers, participating in gatherings, and exercising leadership.