Five Reasons Why Public Speaking Makes People Anxious

For many people, the idea of public speaking is enough to send them into a full-blown panic attack. The thought of standing in front of a group of people and delivering a speech is so anxiety-inducing that some would rather jump out of an airplane than do it! But why is this the case?

Whether you’re considering public speaking anxiety therapy or you’re simply curious, here are five reasons why public speaking makes some people incredibly anxious.

1. We're perfectionists

As millennials, we've been told our entire lives that we can be whatever we want to be and that we should aim for perfection in everything we do. Therefore, it's no surprise that when it comes to public speaking, we want to make sure every word is perfect and that we don't make any mistakes. Unfortunately, this pressure to be perfect can often lead to paralysis by analysis, which only makes the anxiety worse.

2. We're used to immediate gratification

Another reason why public speaking makes millennials anxious in particular is because we're used to getting immediate gratification. With technology at our fingertips, we're used to getting what we want right away. But with public speaking, there's no such thing as immediate gratification - it takes time to master the art of public speaking and there's no guarantee that you'll ever be perfect at it. Needless to say, this lack of immediate gratification can be frustrating.

3. We're self-conscious

Being self-conscious certainly doesn't help when it comes to public speaking. If you’re constantly worried about what other people think of you and whether or not you’re saying the right thing, public speaking can be the worst possible combination of your fears. This self-consciousness can often lead to tripping over words or forgetting what you were going to say in the first place.

4. We've been burned before

If you’ve had negative experiences with public speaking in the past, of course this will only add to the anxiety. Maybe you were laughed at by your classmates when you gave a presentation in school or maybe you bombed an interview because you were so nervous. Whatever the case may be, these bad experiences only make us more anxious about future speeches and presentations.

5. We don't like being the centre of attention

Finally, many of us simply don't like being the centre of attention - we'd much rather blend into the background than be in the spotlight. This aversion to being the centre of attention can make public speaking even more anxiety-inducing for us because it feels like everyone is watching and waiting for us to fail.

Practise makes perfect!

These are just a few of the reasons why public speaking tends to make some people anxious. If you struggle with anxiety related to public speaking, know that you're not alone and that there are ways to overcome your fear. With some practise and self-confidence, you'll be giving speeches like a pro in no time!