 This is a transcript of the article published in Eden Magazine in March 2004 (page 10-11) by Denise Bosque
Personal development coach and hypnotherapist Denise Bosque knew all too well what it was like to suffer from stage fright. Now, a few years later, she is teaching people how to overcome their fears and enjoy speaking or performing in public.
Imagine the scene: you're on stage, it's the first night of a Shakespeare play it's a sell out and there's 900 people watching you. It is your turn to speak, you turn to the actor to say your line and suddenly, you realise you don't know it! Not only do you not know it, but you haven't the slightest clue what to say or do! All eyes are on you!
Panic sets in and grips you like a vice, your heart pounds and your palms sweat. A feeling of tightness takes hold of your chest and you experience full out fear... Relax, it's just a nightmare! Except it wasn't, it's true and it happened to me, a few years ago when I was doing Romeo & Juliet in a repertory theatre in Colchester. This is an extreme case of what is termed 'stage fright'. For many people the very thought of standing up in a public place and making a speech, whether professionally, making a business presentation or socially at a wedding, is gut-wrenchingly terrifying.
In a recent poll in America 3,000 adults were asked to list their 10 worst fears. Glossophobia (that is the fear of public speaking, not the fear of lip gloss) came out as the number one fear, over and above death!
So what can we do about it?
The good news is many things. Today I will focus on informal occasions although many of the points raised are applicable to all forms of public speaking arenas.
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