How to overcome imposter syndrome for public speaking

What makes public speaking so challenging? For most people, it is dealing with overwhelm, anxiety, and finding it hard to think clearly in the stressful setting that is public speaking.

There is so much to think about, and handling that can be tricky. If you can create a calm mind before and during your presentation you will be able to execute to the best of your ability.

The first challenge for speakers is usually imposter syndrome.

Experiencing Imposter Syndrome

Have you ever felt like you do not belong? Like you should not be there, and you are worried that someone will find out you do not actually know what you are doing?

We are all in the same boat. The imposter syndrome boat — that feeling that we are a fraud. For speaking, this might be what is happening in your head:

‘I do not know anything about this topic that other people do not know already.’

• ‘Why should they listen to me?’
• ‘What if I cannot answer questions and I get exposed that I do not know what I am doing?’

This is a lot to deal with in the lead up to, and during your speaking engagement.

The 4 public speaking situations

There are four situations you can find yourself in for public speaking:

• You have learned about a topic and are…