Making a speech or speaking to a group of people was probably something you've tried to avoid many times in your past. For example, while you attended school, you probably had teachers that would ask the students questions. You prayed that the teacher wouldn't pick you to answer or speak.

You try hard to stay in control, even though you can feel your heart pumping rapidly. As you speak, you can't help yourself from stuttering. You notice you are repeating yourself or you give the answer quickly. Once your moment is over, you still feel a bit shaky.

Fast forward back to now the groom chose you as his best man and the best man traditionally gives a speech. You feel a bit anxious because you're the main speaker at the reception, and guests expect the best man speech to be funny and memorable.

Is there a way to conquer your anxiety over speaking to an audience without taking a tranquilizer?

There's no easy way to defeat your fear of speaking in public. The way to overcome your fears is to face them. It might be a clich, but it's true. With practice, you'll become more at ease and soon you'll wonder what you were all worried about. In fact, you might learn to enjoy talking to an audience and you might want to do it even more.

However, before you make that best man speech, you might not have many opportunities to practice speaking to an audience. The second best solution is to practice in your "mind's eye." Visualize yourself making your speech and doing it well. If you can't concentrate on that image, then you'll need to practice in front of a friend or relative who will give you constructive feedback.

Get all your speech writing done well in advance. You'll feel better and more relaxed as the big day nears. To reduce your anxiety and help your memory, you can bring along notes to glance at while you speak.

Get to know as much of the people in the wedding party and the guests as possible. When you are familiar with the people in the audience, then you will be more at ease when you deliver your speech.

As you speak to the audience, stay focused on the groom and the bride. Don't let stray thoughts about how you are doing distract you from delivering your message.

Being the best man and giving the best man speech and wedding toast is an experience you'll look back upon with pride. Your feelings of anxiety will disappear once you finish your speech and what will replace it is a feeling of exhilaration.

Copyright (c) 2006 by Leroy Chan