Guided imagery to overcome fears of Public Speaking or presentation

This public speaking visualization is a guided imagery script that uses visualization to allow you to imagine yourself calmly and successfully giving a speech or public performance.

Take a deep breath in, and breathe out.

Continue to breathe deeply, slowly, and comfortably, feeling deeply relaxed and comfortable.

Allow this feeling of relaxation to grow... becoming even more relaxed.... calm and peaceful.

Keep with you the feeling of relaxation as you think about public speaking. Notice your reaction, physically and emotionally, to talking in public. Perhaps this has been a source of anxiety for you... But notice now how you can be relaxed and calm while thinking about speaking in front of others.

You are Calm and relaxed. Peaceful and relaxed.

In the future you will know that the stress symptoms you may experience when faced with speaking publicly indicate excitement. This is a positive feeling, filling you with energy. The thought of speaking in front of people fills you with positive feelings of excitement.

You may even be feeling a bit excited now, just thinking about public speaking. Let this feeling subside as you return to a state of deep relaxation.

Breathe, and relax.

Keep breathing slowly and calmly. You can relax like this any time you need to. Whenever you want to calm down, you can breathe deeply, and relax, like you are relaxing now.

In this visualization, imagine that everything goes perfectly. Imagine what it would be like to be the most confident, best speaker anyone could possibly be.

Imagine an excellent public speaker, a confident, well spoken person. Picture yourself as a great speaker. Imagine that you are preparing to speak. You are feeling confident, excited. You're looking forward to speaking. After your preparation, you are ready to speak. When the day arrives for you to speak, you are excited, eager to begin.

Imagine going to the location where you will speak. See yourself looking forward to speaking. You are excited to talk in public. You can't wait to share your knowledge. You know that the words will come to you exactly as you need them.

Picture entering the location. The people are gathered to see you. You love it. They can't wait to hear what you are going to say and you can't wait to tell them.

Imagine getting up to the front of the room, ready to speak. The crowd waits expectantly.

See yourself standing at the front of the room, feeling confident. 

Imagine yourself beginning your speech. Confident. Your phrases and words are well timed. All throughout your speech, you are breathing calmly, deeply, pausing between each sentence. You maintain a comfortable, smooth rhythm. You talk with smooth, clear speech. Ideas flow. Your work and preparation allow your speaking to be easy. Everything seems so familiar. It is such a great feeling.

Imagine giving your speech. See yourself as you enjoy this moment. You are confident, comfortable, and having a great time. The excitement you felt at the beginning is now a feeling of confidence and calm.

You feel comfortable in front of all these people. They listen, enjoying hearing you speak as much as you are enjoying speaking. 

When you reach your conclusion, and speak the final words of your prepared speech, imagine giving the audience time to ask questions. You answer every question easily. See your excellent answers satisfying each member of the audience.

The audience is pleased with your performance. You are pleased with your performance. Having completed this public speaking fills you with joy, peace, and pride. 

Notice how you can feel confident and calm when doing public speaking. This includes giving prepared speeches, responding to questions, talking spontaneously to strangers. Or making a presentation to an audience.

You are skilled and able to do any sort of public speaking. You are able to relax before, during, or after you speak. You are confident and assertive.

Practicing this visualization in your mind is like performing actual public speaking. If you are able to do this visualization and be calm, you can also speak in public calmly. 

Congratulate yourself for completing this challenge.

Now that you have completed this public speaking guided imagery, take a few moments to reawaken your mind and body, gradually becoming more alert.

I'll count to 5. When I reach 5, you will be fully awake and feeling calm and energized.

1 ... becoming more awake and alert

2 .... feeling your mind and body reawaken

3 .... move your muscles a little

4 .... almost completely awake now

5 .... feeling full of energy and refreshed.