Speaking in Public to 1 or 100: Test Your Stress Level

Be comfortable talking in any setting

Below is a self-assessment to bring to light what kinds of speaking situations you find stressful. Rate the following situations, based upon how stressful they are to you.

A)  Very Stressful

B)  Sometimes Stressful

C)  Not Stressful For Me

If you don’t ever do some of these, rate how much stress you think you would feel if you did:

1.     Speaking in front of a camera____

2.     Talking with 2 or 3 friends____

3.     Talking with your family____

4.     Talking off the cuff about an important matter____

5.     Talking one to one with a person in authority____

6.     Speaking in front of a large audience____

7.     Talking to people you’ve just met, or encountered in public without introductions____

8.     Talking one to one with someone you know___

Now, looking at your responses, review these questions:

a.     Is this stress preventing me from doing or having something I truly want?

b.     If so, am I willing to feel the stress, and do it anyway?

c.     Is the stress related to being in a place I really don’t want to be, or with people I don’t want or need to be with?

Although some professional development consultants advise you should become proficient at speaking to audiences, there is no law that says you must. Think about getting your message across on a one to one basis, whether social or work related. If you don’t thrive at large social events, consider meeting up with a small group, creating your own social events.

If you ranked high stress in one to one or small groups, practice relaxation before going out. You can find tips and instructions online or at the library for mediation, biofeedback, self-hypnosis and other ways to relax and get ready before you place yourself in one of the speaking situations listed above.