Does this happen to you? Someone asks you to speak. At the very thought, you break out in a cold sweat. Your hands shake, sweat runs down your back. You say no, I'm busy that date. This is not just a mental state. All the physical symptoms are there as well. You are going to die! What are you afraid of? Others will laugh at us? Afraid of making a fool of yourself? Afraid of not doing your best? Know this, no one ever died from fear of public speaking. There are some practical things you can do about it, though.

Here are some tips.

1. Choose an interesting subject. The more interested you are in your subject matter, the more passion you will put into the delivery of it. If you are excited about it, you will convey that excitement to your audience. Conversely, if you are bored with it, so will your audience be.

2. Know your subject. When you are knowledgeable about your subject your confidence level automatically rises. You don't worry about forgetting what you want to say. Inadequate preparation will cause you to want to memorize your material. Memorized material sounds insincere, passionless and the slightest distraction may destroy your set of cues. Be sure you have something to say.

3. Think about your subject and your audience, not about yourself. Good speakers concentrate on the people they are addressing. You are there to meet their needs. It's not about you. There is a time to focus on how you look, how your body language is coming across, and correct grammar, but it is in the preparation, not when you are delivering the speech.

4. Use physical action while you speak. Your adrenalin is flowing, nervous energy is making your hands and legs shake. Use that energy to move while you speak. Trying to stand poker still will cause you to appear more nervous. This is when to use your body language and gestures to your advantage. Practice before you deliver.

5. Some nervous tension is necessary for good speaking. Art Linkletter said that we need to "make the butterflies fly in order." You will probably always feel some degree of nervousness when you have to deliver a speech and your job is not to get rid of it. Rather, use that energy to make your delivery more exciting and passionate. It's a good thing.

6. Speak at every opportunity. The only way to get more comfortable is to speak. How about this, when someone asks you to speak, say yes quickly. Accept every invitation. Then figure out what you will do.