by Lee Glickstein, author of "Be Heard Now! Tap into Your Inner Speaker and Communicate with Ease"
Whether giving a toast at a friend’s wedding, an informal talk to a small group at work, or an important presentation, most people suffer from some degree of performance anxiety.
Ranging from the “screaming meemies" variety of stage fright, to low-grade trepidation, to simply a sense that you can be so much more in front of groups, assessing your symptoms presents an ideal opportunity to begin transforming self-consciousness into self-confidence.
Take that first step by using this test to clarify your comfort level. Choose the category of questions most appropriate to your situation.
__ My knees shake, my palms sweat, my throat tightens, my face turns red and
my heart pounds just thinking about speaking to a group.
__ I’m afraid of saying the wrong thing and looking stupid.
__ Growing up I had to justify what I was thinking and feeling, so I clammed
up and cannot find my voice.
__ I feel disconnected from groups and from my brain when I am in front of a
group.
__ My eyes dart all over the place.
__ Since childhood I always wondered who I was and that has hindered me from
speaking out.
__ I keep running an inner voice saying, “You don’t have anything
of value to contribute; it’s already been said and done.”
__ I fear I will freeze if I am expected to speak in front of a group.
__ I can’t remember my lines even though I’ve rehearsed a thousand
times.
__ I’m afraid people will laugh at me.
__ I do okay, but up until I start I am anxious for no apparent reason.
__ I’m an introvert, which works against me.
__ I usually feel that the audience is putting an enormous demand on me to get
things right.
__ I assume that the audience is not on my side.
__ I don’t have stage fright but I hide behind a rhetorical speaking style,
like a politician.
__ I’m afraid I’ll make a mistake and won’t be able to recover.
__ I am a successful speaker who just isn’t able to be completely myself
in public.
__ I sense I can be more authentic but I don’t know how.
__ I am so polished that people can’t see my vulnerability.
__ I excel publicly, but feel like a failure privately.
__ I’m an excellent speaker but I have a deeper message hidden away and
I feel I’m turning my back on it.
__ I speak from a controlled place that doesn’t meet what a deeper part
of me wants to express.
14-20 – You’ve got it bad! (But you are not alone. Stage fright is the #1 reported fear.) Report ASAP to a 1- or 2-day Speaking CircleŽ workshop to get instant relief from “the screaming meemies”. You don’t need to spend another day in fear of groups when gentle help is available for exactly what ails you.
8-13 – You have garden variety stage fright. A series of 3 Speaking Circles or a 1-day workshop will give you the capacity to actually start enjoying speaking to groups any time, anywhere!
1-7 – All you have is standard performance anxiety, easily corrected with a series of 3 Speaking Circles or 1-day workshop.
To register for a workshop, see our online Registration Page. To join a Speaking Circle in your area, refer to our Regional Schedule Pages.
6-12 – The performance anxiety holding you back is manageable. You are very close to actually enjoying being the center of attention. You just need some organized support to realize it yourself. One Speaking Circle and one private coaching session will show you a way through the anxiety and put you in a position to take full advantage of your leadership speaking capacity.
3-5 – You are ready for a major breakthrough. Reading “Be Heard Now!” or attending one Speaking Circle will open your eyes dramatically to a world of possibility.
0-2 – You are there!
Call (415) 488-4460 or (800) 610-0169 for a complimentary 15-minute consultation and assessment for our private coaching program. To register for a workshop, see our online Registration Page. To join a Speaking Circle in your area, refer to our Regional Schedule Pages.
Any score at all – Your willingness to move to the next level of communication mastery is courageous. There is no reason you can’t be a successful professional speaker if so motivated. Go for it! If you need any assistance along the way, feel free to contact us.
Call (415) 488-4460 for a complimentary 15-minute consultation and assessment for our private coaching program for developing masterful talks.
Have you subscribed to our monthly newsletter? Enhance your speaking presence with Lee's latest tips and in-depth articles - subscribe on our home page at www.speakingcircles.com.