What Should I Do To Increase My Confidence In Speaking?

**From a question on Quora.com**

Let’s first look at where lack of confidence comes from. Many people are nervous about not knowing enough and being found out by the audience. They are scared of stumbling over their words and looking like a dolt in front of a crowd.

Outside of public speaking, a lack of confidence is as simple as not being assured of success. When I think about riding my bicycle as a child, I wanted to do it. However, when I mounted the bicycle for the first time, I was scared of falling. I lacked confidence. I remember the feeling. The nerves and butterflies pulsed through my skin and my entire body experienced the fear.

I remember walking into the room to take the law school exam. I’d studied for months but as the proctor made her announcements, I could feel the tension build in my body. I had no idea what was coming next and how I would do. I lacked confidence. (I passed the exam but decided not to go to law school, by the way).

When I close my eyes and relive those moments, the feelings were the same. The situations were very different but the physical feelings were the same. I can ride a bike confidently now and I’ll bet if I had to take the exam again, I wouldn’t feel the same as the first time.

“Confidence comes from the…