public speaking advice

[bumblebe]

Ive always been like this, SO afraid to give presentations that my jaw shakes and I cant form words. My hands shake too, so bad that its even hard to click the mouse to show the next slide in a power point.

I'm in a public speaking class right now. I just did my first presentation. It was an introductory speech. I got 15 points knocked off because it was over a minute too short.

Our next assignment is a instruction presentation. Kinda like a tutorial.

I was thinking on a presentation on how to make a cosmopolitan. What do you think?

Any advice on how to overcome the anxiety of public speaking?

[anonymouslyadd]

I always get anxious, and I've given 15 prepared speeches. I recommend Toastmasters International as a way to practice speaking in front of people. I've been a member with them for over two years. now. It's helped change my life.

Repetition is the best advice I can give to you.

[starrykitten]

Originally Posted by bumblebe

Ive always been like this, SO afraid to give presentations that my jaw shakes and I cant form words. My hands shake too, so bad that its even hard to click the mouse to show the next slide in a power point.

I'm in a public speaking class right now. I just did my first presentation. It was an introductory speech. I got 15 points knocked off because it was over a minute too short.

Our next assignment is a instruction presentation. Kinda like a tutorial.

I was thinking on a presentation on how to make a cosmopolitan. What do you think?

Any advice on how to overcome the anxiety of public speaking?

I knew anonymouslyadd would have good ideas.

Can you still pour a drink with your hands shaking? Something to consider--I honestly have no idea how bad it is. If you stutter, leave as much purely visual as you can. Think about ways to compensate for your anxiety symptoms.

Have you heard of propanalol? It's often referred to as "the performer's friend." It's a low dose blood pressure medication, just strong enough to block anxiety, and performers often take it before performing because it doesn't slow them down like benzos. Just another idea.

You'll get better at it. Promise.

Also, if there's something you love doing so much that you get really into teaching it, maybe that could be your subject?

[TheChemicals]

I got a B+ in public speaking. I didn't turn in all the paperwork, otherwise it would have been an A+ with a direct fasttrack to a senate seat.

The steps are simple but must be followed in this order.
1. Find a bathroom where you are sure you'll have your privacy.
2. With both your hands choke yourself and hold until your about to pass out then release.
3. Stare yourself in the mirror and say the following "I'm worthless and I'm going to die today". Then slap yourself in the face. Don't do it hard- you don't want a mark when doing your speech.
4. Go into a stall and sit on the toilet and make yourself little while thinking only about your own mortality and how death is coming for you. Really believe make yourself believe your going to die.
5. You are ready for a speech now.

If that doesn't work pretend everyone is nude inside the room.

[mad83]

Treat it like acting. It's not YOU giving the presentation, it's the person you are representing.

[TygerSan]

Can you work with someone in the counselling services department of the university to help you out? At least where I am they will work on things like test anxiety, etc. where they'll teach you relaxation techniques and desensitization exercises that they'll practice in the classroom with you before class.

I'm not one to *always* go for meds, but taking a beta-blocker like propranolol as-needed (aka before the presentation) can help with the physical symptoms of anxiety, and might help you get through the worst of it.

[ginniebean]

Originally Posted by TheChemicals

I got a B+ in public speaking. I didn't turn in all the paperwork, otherwise it would have been an A+ with a direct fasttrack to a senate seat.

The steps are simple but must be followed in this order.
1. Find a bathroom where you are sure you'll have your privacy.
2. With both your hands choke yourself and hold until your about to pass out then release.
3. Stare yourself in the mirror and say the following "I'm worthless and I'm going to die today". Then slap yourself in the face. Don't do it hard- you don't want a mark when doing your speech.
4. Go into a stall and sit on the toilet and make yourself little while thinking only about your own mortality and how death is coming for you. Really believe make yourself believe your going to die.
5. You are ready for a speech now.

If that doesn't work pretend everyone is nude inside the room.

Would you consider making an instructional video? I can't help but think it would be a hit.

[phantasm]

Don't look the audience in the eyes. Look at their forhead or the top of their hairline. And don't fixate on one person. Look at foreheads in different corners of the room so you appear like you are acknowledging the whole audience.

I say this, because what makes me nervous is the looks on peoples faces. If they look bored, or like they are judging me, I will shake like a leaf. I don't want to be judged.

I've heard great things about Toastmasters as well.

Good luck!

[bumblebe]

[quote=starrykitten;1349664
Can you still pour a drink with your hands shaking? Something to consider--I honestly have no idea how bad it is. If you stutter, leave as much purely visual as you can. Think about ways to compensate for your anxiety symptoms.


You'll get better at it. Promise.

Also, if there's something you love doing so much that you get really into teaching it, maybe that could be your subject?[/quote]

Good point about the drink. I get so shaky and I think that would magnify it, so that is definitely a point to consider.

Thank you I really appreciate it, I hope it gets better.




Sorry, I tried to quote and messed up so I did this responce twice....ooops

[bumblebe]

Originally Posted by phantasm

Don't look the audience in the eyes. Look at their forhead or the top of their hairline. And don't fixate on one person. Look at foreheads in different corners of the room so you appear like you are acknowledging the whole audience.

I say this, because what makes me nervous is the looks on peoples faces. If they look bored, or like they are judging me, I will shake like a leaf. I don't want to be judged.

I've heard great things about Toastmasters as well.

Good luck!

That makes a lot of sense because thats where I usually get worse. I always wonder why I start off better than I end. I usually end horribly!.

[bumblebe]

Originally Posted by starrykitten

I knew anonymouslyadd would have good ideas.

Can you still pour a drink with your hands shaking? Something to consider--I honestly have no idea how bad it is. If you stutter, leave as much purely visual as you can. Think about ways to compensate for your anxiety symptoms.

Have you heard of propanalol? It's often referred to as "the performer's friend." It's a low dose blood pressure medication, just strong enough to block anxiety, and performers often take it before performing because it doesn't slow them down like benzos. Just another idea.

You'll get better at it. Promise.

Also, if there's something you love doing so much that you get really into teaching it, maybe that could be your subject?

No! I cant pour a drink with shaking hands....lol good point. I thought about that too but I was kinda hoping id be so into it that I wouldnt shake. But im always super exited about my topics and I still shake.

My dr told me about propanalol, he said that a lot of people use it....He said hed rather see me take a pill and do my presentation than to avoid doing the presentation all together...which I have done many times..

[bumblebe]

Originally Posted by mad83

Treat it like acting. It's not YOU giving the presentation, it's the person you are representing.

Thats a good one. Kinda like seperating myself from the actual presentation. I like it

[bumblebe]

Originally Posted by TheChemicals

I got a B+ in public speaking. I didn't turn in all the paperwork, otherwise it would have been an A+ with a direct fasttrack to a senate seat.

The steps are simple but must be followed in this order.
1. Find a bathroom where you are sure you'll have your privacy.
2. With both your hands choke yourself and hold until your about to pass out then release.
3. Stare yourself in the mirror and say the following "I'm worthless and I'm going to die today". Then slap yourself in the face. Don't do it hard- you don't want a mark when doing your speech.
4. Go into a stall and sit on the toilet and make yourself little while thinking only about your own mortality and how death is coming for you. Really believe make yourself believe your going to die.
5. You are ready for a speech now.

If that doesn't work pretend everyone is nude inside the room.

you just made me laugh...At least remembering your words of advice will take my mind off the anxiety and put a smile on my face....Your funny

[ToneTone]

I actually teach public speaking.

A couple of points:

1. If you're really nervous, ask to present first in order to get it out of the way and not let your terror grow as you sit and wait.

2. Truly totally know that it's OK TO BE NERVOUS, EVEN TERRIFIED. The audience doesn't lose respect for people because they are nervous. Nervous is not creepy. Feeling nervous in presenting is not even the same as social awkwardness. Nervousness actually signals that you are taking the speech seriously and audiences really like that speakers are taking speeches seriously.
I tell my students that if ever they go on a first date with someone and they're not at all nervous, that means they don't like the date.

3. Practice in front of a mirror and with a timer. Practice in front of a friend if you can ...

4. Also, dress up for the part. My students who dress up just seem to focus better than those who are casually dressed. It's funny: I can't require that they dress up. But it totally makes a difference. Just dressing up seems to automatically give the brain a boost!

5. Don't apologize. Just give your talk. Don't apologize. Even if you trip over backwards and set off an alarm, don't apologize!

6. Google anxiety and public speaking and look for breathing exercises ...

7. It's hard to emotionally believe this, but people are usually quite "nice' in responding to public speakers, as long as you are sincere and serious.

Last year, I fell out of my chair in front of the class. My students didn't laugh when I ended up on my butt. Oh sure, I was a little embarrassed, but I've learned to relax and in a minute, I had forgotten about it and moved on ...

8. Do NOT FIGHT THE NERVOUSNESS! ... Contradictory I know ... But I noticed years ago that if I'm blushing, the worst thing I could do was to try to stop blushing. Now, if I'm ever really flustered, I just let it come over me ... and soon it passes on ...

9. Know that you are courageous and that public speaking terrifies many people. So you can credit yourself more than you credit others who you think may speak better ... Because you are the more courageous one! ....

I'm fortunate in that I come from a family of confident public speakers (and loudmouths--sometimes those two categories overlap!) ... Still I remember my mother had an occasion to speak at her church as part of a campaign to get her church to change its name. She was so terrified, that she asked me to come to church with her (I was out of town) and just stand behind her in the pulpit as she spoke.

Bottom line: however you need to arrange the room, or whatever you need to do to comfort yourself, do it!

Good luck.

Tone

[frame313]

Originally Posted by bumblebe

Any advice on how to overcome the anxiety of public speaking?

I've done zillions of presentations at various jobs over the years. The best weapon is confidence in your material and yourself. Couple points:

I found it's essential to know my subject inside and out and be passionate about it. If I were to do a presentation on how to make a Cosmopolitan (never had one but let's assume I love them) I would research the hell out of it: Where did it originate? How did it get it's name? When was it most popular and how popular is it today? Famous people (or tv characters) who preferred them? Variations/similar drinks? Does it have any food pairing recommendations? Maybe talk to a bartender to get some insight. You don't have to include all this in your presentation - just don't limit yourself to knowing only how to make one. The more you know about your topic the more confident you will be.

And don't be nervous - be eager and excited to teach people something you know more about than they do. Realize that you are the person in control. Your audience is only playing a passive role - you control the moment.

Presentations are like job interviews. If you know your material and believe in yourself (you don't deserve the job if you don't) you should be oozing confidence from every orifice. If you lack confidence it will definitely show.

I never had a public speaking class but I should note that it helps that in a previous life I was wedding dj on weekends and had a radio show in college. that helped me quite a bit cuz I was a really shy kid in high school. So to gain confidence maybe you could try cutting loose one night at the local karaoke bar??