The Following is 2004’s ranking:

1- Public Speaking

2- Heights

3- Insects/Bugs

4- Financial Problems

5- Deep Water

6- Death

Each year, the ratings are likely to change, sometimes considerably.  Death, for example, has been as high as the second greatest fear. Most of the others have shifted around as well, but one response has never changed in the history of this survey:  Public Speaking has always maintained the #1 spot as our greatest fear.

Accordingly, we would rather be penniless, covered head-to-toe with a crawling mass of vicious bugs, and plunging from an airplane to a horrific death in the deepest part of the ocean than standing in front of a group of people and giving a speech.  Or as Jerry Seinfeld humors: Soooo, if you have to be at a funeral, you’d rather be in the casket than delivering the eulogy. I wondered why the prospect of public speaking engendered such fear and trembling to the extent that we are less fearful of even the “Sickness Unto Death.” I’ve asked many audiences to give me their thoughts on the issue. They answer:

• Fear of criticism
• Fear of failure
• Fear of making a negative lasting impression
• Fear of rejection
• Fear of ridicule

Fear will smother the confidence of competent public speakers. It is impossible to be motivational when we are trembling with nervousness. The three points I teach in my workshops are ways to overcome these debilitating fears.  They are Preparation, Practice, and Passion, which not only make for better speeches, but also are the ultimate Fear extinguishers.
Don’t think that those who’ve already started their speaking career don’t have struggles with this same fear.
The key to overcoming the habit of fear is to replace it with the habit of confidence, preparedness and much rehearsal. Top Comedians, Oscar winning actors and top public speakers work hard on their craft with hours and hours of behind the scenes memorization of lines and even practicing in the mirror.
In our Presentation Fire Training School we will walk you through not only designing your message, but give you preparation methods that will launch you to new heights in your motivational speaking job

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Starting your job in motivational speaking is no easy task. I always advise everyone to not quit their day job until they have a full understanding of what are the entry level tools required for a speaking career. The speaking business, in many ways, parallels the entertainment business. When the hit show American Idol rolls into your city for auditions reports of 4000 plus will wait for days to audition. Only a small handful will be selected from each city. The speaking business is a great career but the first tool you need to start working on is finding your message and writing a book about it. If you do not have a book you can still get speaking jobs. Having a speaking career is different than getting some speaking jobs. A career is about crafting a great message that is worth writing about and becoming a motivational speaker. There are several ways to get your book finished. In fact, you may be a great speaker but not very good a writing. Ghost writers can take your hand written notes or even audio CD’s of your ideas and turn it into a work that you’d be proud to publish. In our Public speaking training course we’ll give you lists of writers and publishers. You’ll also want to self publish your first book, unless of course, you have already been signed by a publisher. If that is the case then you must know Oprah personally.

Coming soon is my free download of some quick tips for writing your first motivational speaking book.

Technorati Tags: become a motivational speaker, how to become a motivational speaker, motivational speaking, public speaking career, public speaking jobs, speaking business, Speaking Career