The beast? That's the horrific inner voice that whispers in our heads - rubbish like this:
You're going to make mistakes... You're going to forget your words... Don't put yourself out on a limb, or they'll see all your flaws... Don't act confident or they'll think you're arrogant.... You lack credibility because you're too hairy / bald / fat / skinny / young / old / wrinkled / naff / pigeon-toed... (choose your own)
Want to avoid going nuts wrestling with your own mind? Then don’t read this.
Still reading? Okay, how long do you hold direct eye contact with someone else? And I do mean direct, not just on the nose or an eyebrow, or defocused. (Don’t time yourself! You’ll be talking to people in white coats before close of play.)