Jason Webb, a Milwaukee-based Pastor, Shares Tips to Overcome Your Fear of Public Speaking
Even the most confident people are not one hundred percent comfortable walking onto a stage and speaking to a crowd. It is also true regarding professional public speakers, who still get cold feet from time to time. As humans, we all experience the stumbles, stammers, and shakes within our voices. Fortunately, there are many ways to circumvent this and escape the shackles that bind us in our fear. In this article, Jason Webb, a pastor and public speaker from Milwaukee, offers a valuable insight into developing the skills necessary to work past fears surrounding public speaking.
Prepare Yourself Ahead of Time
Preparation is key in public speaking. Put in the effort to learn new skills and understand a wide range of subjects to better speak with confidence. Similarly, putting in the effort to understand your audience and what they desire will assist you greatly, as well.
As said in Colossians 4:6, “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”
Approach each event with confidence and an effort to educate yourself, and you will be much better off.
Find a Routine That Works
Finding something to help ground you and ensure you can properly enter a mental headspace that allows you to speak with confidence and ease is essential. Whether it is meditation, a mindful writing session, or prayer, finding something to ground yourself is critical in getting yourself ready to succeed.
Give Your Anxiety Over
As pastors, the advice is often given that stems from the realm of Biblical verses. This is because there is much truth that can be taken by all walks of life from these sacred lines.
Philippians 4:6-7 states, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
While you may not be able to control the situations that cause you anxiety, you can release that energy and attempt to approach the situation with your spirit and head held high.
You should also understand that fear is normal. There is a lot of pressure in speaking, and one should always allow the anxiety to register and know that it is entirely part of being human.
Moses was hesitant and anxious when speaking to the Pharaoh and the Israelites, but he still made an effort, and it paid off. The key is trusting the ability and power of giving anxiety over and accepting peace.
About Jason Webb
Jason Webb is a Milwaukee-based pastor and public speaker. Currently, he is a Team Manager and Groups Director for Great Lakes Church in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Before this, Mr. Webb has established and led multiple churches and non-profit organizations, both domestically and internationally. Jason Webb is an experienced entrepreneur, movement leader, and an advocate for racial reconciliation.
