Very often we become baffled by the fact that speaking in public is more difficult and uncomfortable than it should be. After all, we speak every day to people. Why should a group of people be any different?
What we must realize is that when we are speaking to a group we have to work hard on being/appearing natural in an unnatural setting.
Think of it this way: You’re at a family reunion and your crazy Aunt Clarra is trying to get candid photos of everyone. She never puts down the camera and is telling everyone to just “act natural”. As much as you try to ignore it, you know that there is a camera somewhere near by that could be focusing in on you. Doesn’t it feel slightly unnatural? Ar you more aware of your movements? Do you keep a smile on your face a bit more than normal? Is your posture just a bit more straight than usual? Even though part of your mind is consistently scoping to find the location of the wondering camera, you still try to act perfectly normal when talking to your other relatives. You are trying to be natural in an unnatural setting.
Now, multiply that feeling by 10, 50, or 500…however many people you have in your audience. A part of you mind wants to focus on all the people (cameras) focusing on you.
Don’t get frustrated if you don’t instantly feel as comfortable in front of people as you would like. It takes practice.
