2. Step 2: The Fear of Public Speaking Is Real—Embrace It and Use It

Our doubts are traitors,And make us lose the good we oft might winBy fearing to attempt.

William Shakespeare

Let’s come right out and take this on. The fear of public speaking is real for many people. It’s common; so if it is something you’ve experienced, recognize that it is nearly universal. The so-called experts who try to help by clinically discussing it as irrational or rational with their accompanying data, cures, or workarounds don’t make it any better. Does it make you feel better knowing that other people—including this author—experience performance anxiety? I didn’t think so. Many experienced speakers and performers still have some form of performance or speaker anxiety. ...

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