WATCH: Tap Out Your Fears! Episode 2: Fear Of Public Speaking

As we look further into the fears that can stop us from getting the most out of life -- or from putting the most into it -- it's easy to see that the fear of public speaking can be a powerful blocker. How much more success, joy and fulfillment could you experience if you felt more comfortable sharing yourself -- and your gifts and talents -- with more people? Let's tap out any fear of doing so!

As with any of my tapping videos, this is an abbreviated process for releasing fear. Some folks may find that their fear of public speaking dissolves after just one tapping session, but for others, it will take some repetition, bringing the discomfort down little by little each time. (Still others may uncover specific issues that are best addressed directly with a wellness practitioner.) In any event, this brief video should help at least take the edge off this very common fear, freeing you up to feel better about how you present yourself to the world so you can enjoy life more. Try it the night before your next presentation, speech, or wedding toast, and let us know if it helped you!

Have a specific fear you'd like to see featured in a future "Tap Out Your Fears" vlog? Comment below, or tweet us all about it @HealthyLiving using the hashtags #becomingfearless and #tapoutfear. If you tweet, you will automatically be entered into Toyota Corolla's Most Fearless Tweet Contest! (Click here for the Official Rules.)

To watch the first episode in the "Tap Out Your Fears" series -- which explains the basics of tapping -- click here.

For a picture of the tapping points -- and more info on EFT -- click here.

Tapping can sometimes bring up long-buried emotions, which is why I always encourage tappers to take full responsibility for their own well-being. For more information about that, please read this disclaimer.

Until next time, feel free to tap along with any of the many videos I have on YouTube or the many recordings I have at www.TapToFeelGood.com.

For more by Brad Yates, click here.

For more on becoming fearless, click here.

References:

[1] Dawson Church, Ph.D., et al. "The Effect of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) on Stress Biochemistry: A Randomized Controlled Trial." Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 2012.

 

 

 

Comments

[librarianesque]

08:13 PM on 05/31/2012

hey brad, thank you for your wonderful videos, they are insightful and interesting and helpful to me thus far. i have an odd fear: of success! for whatever reason, sometimes i self-sabotage and tend to doubt myself because i'm unsure of my innate worthiness. of course, deep down inside i know i am (of being loved by someone who i have a crush on, of getting that job after multiple rounds of interviews, of being my best self unapologetically) but i need some help, as it is not a lack of confidence--though there are many types of confidence. it is fear. is fear a lack of confidence? i don't feel that it is. however, i've identified these issues, now i just need to get past the fear.

the tapping has absolutely calmed me. i'd appreciate your thoughts! do you think you can help? thanks!

[librarianesque]

08:39 PM on 05/31/2012

fearing your own power and listening to the negative inner voice and overthinking would be more apt. thanks again.

[Kyra Eigenberger]

09:53 AM on 05/30/2012

Actually, not all public speaking fears stem from not knowing what to say. There have been plenty of times that I have been well educated in the topic I've been asked to speak about, but my body still shuts completely down before speaking. This treatment may sound like a bunch of boohockey, however if you did any research before automatically assuming this could never work, you would know that tapping balances activity between the sympathetic and parasympathetic regions of your brain (the sympathetic nervous system is what speeds up your heart rate, dilates pupils, stimulates sweating and MUCH more, your parasympathetic nervous system slows all this stuff back down) producing “a neutral emotional state." Tapping for one hour will lower your cortisol levels by 24%, and when cortisol levels are lowered this significantly reduces stress.

[Kyra Eigenberger]

05:10 PM on 05/30/2012

I realize I may have come across a bit ugly when I said "if you did any research before automatically forming an opinion.." That wasn't my intention, the point I was attempting to get across is that ignorance isn't bliss. By understanding the scientific background behind this bizarre technique, you'll become open-minded about giving it a shot if you have severe fears of public speaking, or any anxiety, really. And unless you're either educated in anatomy and physiology or do the research to understand the science of different therapies, then it shouldn't be depreciated so quickly.

[rcarol]

05:47 AM on 05/30/2012

Does he know how ridiculous he looks? Conquering fear of public speaking is mind over matter. I don't like speaking in front of a group of people as a captive audience, but as long as I know my subject matter, I feel confident. Beside, once it's over and done with I feel good as I have provided knowledge and experience that may help some of them to do their jobs better.

[sinjinqlb]

02:55 AM on 05/30/2012

I don't really want to watch this video so can someone just tell me - is he talking about tap DANCING your fears away? Or some other sort of tapping?

[voicecraft]

08:16 PM on 05/29/2012

Wow! It's like getting advice fro Stuart Smally. Any body remember who that was? It was Al Franken in a previous life on SNL. A role form which he is much better suited than his current one.

[voicecraft]

08:12 PM on 05/29/2012

Geez Louise what a crock. I've been doing public speaking for over 45 years. The fear comes from not having anything to say. It's like being assigned the duty of speaking on a topic for which you may have no opinion or interest. If you have ever been to a PTA meeting, a church meeting or Town Hall meeting, you will nbotice that people who are truly engaged or passionate about something have no fear of speaking. So, the trick is to know your subject and care about it and you'll find the need to disseminate that information far exceeds the fear of delivering it.

[abi7183]

10:19 AM on 06/02/2012

you clearly know nothing about how the human mind works. You can know your topic inside out and still feel anxious because you're not confident in your ability to articulate it effectively, you may not trust that your voice will work the way you want it to all of which becomes a self fulfilling prophecy leading you to freeze due to the stress of the situation. Fear of being judged is also a factor. Most of these thing stem from excessive self-criticism which is mainly as a result of low self esteem to varying degrees in most people. So please do not be so dismissive and over simplify something that is a great concern for a large % of the general population, even if it is not for you

[bthafmanuthamtha]

07:55 PM on 05/29/2012

And you may ask yourself, how did I get here? Same as it ever was..same as it ever was... The Talking Heads live on!

[pslcitizen]

03:19 PM on 05/29/2012

Just do it..the more you do, the sooner it won't be no big thing..

[a man]

03:00 PM on 05/29/2012

I have been speaking in public for 30 years. I was terrified to do it at first because I was (and still am) fat. But I asked my father to do something for me my first time. My first time as a public speaker was as a lector in a church. There were over 500 people in the church. I had my father stand in the back, behind everyone. I would read the scripture, look around the room as I read the words to everyone, but I looked at the tops of their heads and looked my father in the eye. Whenever I had to get up and speak in front of a group after that first time and I was nervous, I had a friend I could trust stand in the back of the room.

That is what works for me. Always have someone you trust standing in the back and don't look anyone else in the eye.

[ablacks657]

02:19 PM on 05/29/2012

To overcome the fear of speaking in public is NOTsomething that can be conquered in one easy lesson! Join POWERtalk International (originally founded as International Toastmistress Clubs), with a name change to accommodate the men who began joining in the 1960s. This not for profit, educational organization has clubs around the world, and offers coaching in effective speaking, leadership training, and facilitating meetings, to name just a few skills.
The key to conquering this FEAR is practice and mentoring in skills needed to be a productive team member. Ongoing training, practice, mentoring and encouraging feedback is the key.
www.powertalkinternational.com. Find a club near you!!

[a man]

03:25 PM on 05/29/2012

I am a member of Toastmasters!! But I haven't been to a meeting in ages. I LOVE public speaking. I have taught so many people how to speak in front of groups that I could probably teach at a university or community college.