Fear of public speaking is a big one for many people. Even the thought of tapping about it can feel overwhelming. It is not always necessary to confront fears and anxieties head on. We could tap about the physical sensations of fear such as a knot in the stomach, lump in the throat, queesiness, sweaty palms, tense muscles, or difficulty breathing. We can tap about the mental processes or thoughts that we become of aware of such as not believing that we can handle the situation, thinking that we are going to “lose it”, or hating the feared object. We can also tap on past experiences with the feared object or situation.
Although it sounds quite odd, you can also tap about future experiences with the feared object or situation. You can envision yourself in the future facing your fear or phobia. You might include data about how comfortable you are and how you intend to think and feel in the situation.
Say this problem statement aloud, “I have a fear of public speaking.” Rate the intensity that you experience when saying this statement on the 0-10 point scale and record your rating.
Setup (Karate Chop Point) – Even though I have this fear of public speaking, I accept myself with all of my problems and limitations. Even though I feel ridiculous being so afraid of public speaking, I choose to be awed and amazed at how easy it will be for me in the future. Even if I never completely get over this fear of public speaking, I deeply and completely accept myself anyway.
Eyebrow…I am afraid of public speaking
Side of Eye…I am afraid of public speaking
Under the Eye…I am afraid of public speaking
Under the Nose…I am afraid of public speaking
Chin…I am afraid of public speaking
Collarbone…I am afraid of public speaking
Top of Head…I am afraid of public speaking
Karate Chop Point…Even though I get a lump in my throat when I begin to speak in public, I deeply and completely love and accept myself anyway. Even though I tense up and get a lump in my throat every time I try to speak in public, I choose to feel confident – no matter what. Even though this lump in my throat makes it very difficult for me to speak in public, I accept myself anyway with all of my problems and limitations.
Eyebrow…I am terrified of public speaking
Side of Eye…I always get a lump in my throat
Under the Eye…That is a horrible feeling
Under the Nose…I get tense
Chin…Anticipating that lump in my throat
Collarbone…Really terrifies me
Under the Arm…I know I am going to choke
Top of Head…Literally and figuratively
Eyebrow…I have been terrified of public speaking
Side of Eye…I always tense up
Under the Eye…But a part of me knows
Under the Nose…That the lump isn’t real
Chin…It’s just my body trying to protect me
Collarbone…It’s my body’s outdated way of trying to keep me safe
Under the Arm…I needed that in the past
Top of Head…But I’m not sure I need that anymore
Eyebrow…I can find new ways of being safe
Side of Eye…I am open to exploring what I need now
Under the Eye…I am looking forward to widening my comfort zone
Under the Nose…Terrified of public speaking
Chin…Getting tense
Collarbone…This lump in my throat
Under the Arm…I needed these things before
Top of Head…But not any more.
Take a deep breath and let it out gently. Notice what you feel. Write down any memories about specific public speaking events that popped up so you can tap away that trauma too.
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