If you're someone that needs to make a presentation, give a sermon, or for some other reasons do some public speaking, a test for anxiety may be necessary.  After all, most people admit that public speaking is their number one fear, even before death and dying.  That means that for most people at a funeral, they would rather be the person in the coffin than the one giving the eulogy!  Public speaking is a test for anxiety that most people would obviously rather not face.

There are some tips and tricks that you can use to get over this fear, and we're not talking about the old "picture everyone in their underwear" routine.  While that advice may elicit a few chuckles, there are a lot more practical steps you can take when you need to do some public speaking, the test for anxiety that is so tremendously difficult for everyone.

Why Picture Them in Their Underwear?

We wouldn't encourage any speaker to picture anyone in their underwear; that is just a good way to get sued – or to get sick, depending on the looks of your audience!  However, the whole reason that this became a practice for public speaking, and a test for anxiety, is because this was meant to remind the speaker that his or her audience is made up of human beings, just like him or her.  They too are nervous, anxious, and afraid of speaking, and probably have their own things that make them feel terrified as well.  They're not there to hurt you or make fun of you, so you need to put your mind at ease.  That's the first step.

Another important tip when talking about public speaking, to test for anxiety, is to picture the faces of everyone in the crowd individually, and make yourself feel as if you are talking to that person one-on-one.  Forget the crowd, which is only going to make you nervous.  Instead, really put yourself in that singular conversation with that one person.  Speak to him or her directly during your discourse or sermon.  You see how your anxiety lessens when you are having a face-to-face conversation with someone rather than thinking of the large number in the crowd.

The Real Public Speaking Test for Anxiety

Many people assume that the way they feel during their discourse or sermon is out of their control.  If they get nervous, that's it.  They're nervous.

The real public speaking test for anxiety comes before your speaking engagement, however.  It's important to test yourself before you get to the podium or stage to better understand where your anxiety comes from, so that you can address it properly.

Picture yourself giving your speech or lecture or sermon.  How do you feel?  Are your palms sweating right now, your heart racing?  This public speaking test for anxiety is important because you need to know all your physical and mental symptoms.  Are you afraid, and if so, of what?  Of not knowing the answer to a question that's asked of you, or of losing your place during your speech?  Are you afraid of embarrassing yourself, of fainting or dying or throwing up?

Were you not afraid of these things before, but now that we've mentioned them, you suddenly are?  This is a strong clue as to the importance of this public speaking test for anxiety before your lecture.  The power of suggestion is strong; if you think you're going to be sick, you just might be.  If you think you're going to lose your place, then you probably will.

However, you can use this to your advantage as well.  If you tell yourself that you are going to be a strong, successful, forthright, dynamic speaker, then you will be.  If you tell yourself that your colleagues or congregation or whomever your audience is will respect you and respond to you, then they more likely will.  When doing this public speaking test for anxiety, you need to be honest with yourself as to what your initial reactions and fears are.  Only by knowing exactly what those fears are will you be able to address them honestly and effectively.

Preparation is Important After a Public Speaking Test for Anxiety

Doing this public speaking test for anxiety can also clue you in on how important preparation is for any speech, lecture, sermon, or presentation.  If you know your material inside and out, and are familiar with all parts of your speech, then you'll be less likely to have problems with it.  If you lose your place in your notes, your preparation will help you to remember which point comes next, and so on.  If you're truly prepared about your subject, you'll be better able to field any questions your colleagues or coworkers might have.  The whole point of this public speaking test for anxiety is to be honest with yourself about where your personal weaknesses are and where you can improve, so use that information to your advantage.

After Your Public Speaking Test for Anxiety, Put Things in Perspective

Maybe you still have fears and doubts about yourself, and this is just natural and normal.  However, remind yourself that you are just a human being and can only do so well with a presentation or lecture.  If someone asks a question that you don't know, commend them on the question and admit that you're not sure, but that you would like to research the subject and get back with them.  If something embarrassing happens, just learn to laugh it off and move on.  There is no public speaking test for anxiety that will prepare you for everything that can happen, but you can better prepare yourself personally after an honest evaluation.  And remember that public speaking is a test for anxiety that everyone dreads, so you should commend yourself on just having the courage to tackle such a project or to face such an assignment, and to get in front of that audience in the first place!