Public Speaking

Off Topic
1

So i am taking a public speaking and im terrified of it. So much so that I want to drop the class. Is there anyways to help with anxiety that comes from it? Anybody else have really bad anxiety from public speaking?

I did my first speech already and i fucked up i mean when the teacher called my name to go up my heart was racing like mad and my face felt like it gone pale. And I started talking and 2 sentences into my intro I fucken skipped the rest of my intro and the 1st body paragraph and just started talking about shit from my 2nd body paragraph. Needless to say I was totally lost after that skipping a major portion of my speech I just ended up saying alot of uh’s and um’s whilst trying to keep it together.

2

raises hand.

I am somewhat the same way.

I’ve started to give seminars at my gym and the first few were quite terrifying. My mouth goes dry as can be, my heart pounds.

There are a few key things to get better.

#1- Practice, practice practice. The more speeches you give, the more comfortable you will be. I’m giving my 5th one tonight, and I’m no where near as nervous at this point as the past ones. I’ll let you know how I feel 10 mins prior lol.

#2- know your material. The more knowledgable you are on your subject, the more confident you will feel

#3- If you really want to dive into this, pick up some of Dale Carnegie’s books/CDs. They are fairly cheap on Amazon

His Stand & Deliver CD is pretty darn good

Oh, and taking 3 Z-12’s last time seemed to help some. It didn’t until about 10 mins in, because prior to, my heart was racing as normal.

Public speaking is very rewarding and it’s definitely helped my business. At the root of it, it’s no different than talking to someone one-on-one

3

…The best way to help with public speaking to practice it. Thats why you’re in the class. If you already knew how to be a great public speaker you wouldn’t need it.

4

yea im not a big fan of it either, especially when the teachers want you to do a speech on some bullshit topic you can care less about…but nonetheless, public speaking will help…i remember when i first did a class like that i got nervous and what not, but after donig a bunch of presentations in other classes and speeches, it came much much easier to a point where i didnt even mind donig presentations and stuff in front of an entire class…like Enders Drift said, it just takes practice…just calm down and remember, whats the worst that can happen??? you fuck up?? who cares, its not like they are gonna chop your arm off or something, just calm down, take a deep breathe, and go on…

IronWarrior

5

I have dealt with this before, because of my major, I have a presentation just about 1 a month in each class. The best way that I’ve found to get into the right mode and pass up anxiety is to give it “the dead man” approach. It boils down to trying to slow your body down as much as possible in preparation for your speech.

My trick is sitting in the back of the lecture hall on speech day and walking slow to the front while deeply inhaling/exhaling. It also helps to KNOW what youre talking about, in case you actually do slip up in reading your paper you can just ramble because you KNOW what your points are in a general sense.

Appearance may also make you uncomfortable, so wear something that makes you feel like a star (I rock a black mandarin collared suit), looking good does effect performance DO NOT underestimate that, especially when you’re already unsure about your abilities. In addition to that, if you look good most people won’t question or pay attention to what you say which gives you room for error.

summary

relax-maybe even to the point of walking to school in that slow deliberate manner to really get in your zone.

know your stuff…practice it many times! it’s important to have a general feel for your subject that way you can maneuver through sticking points. Try to look at your paper as little as possible, this will also enhance your perceived knowledge and lead to a more respected speech.

LOOK GOOD- nobody questions the dude in the suit, especially when he’s the only one wearing a suit…it’s assumed “he knows” and you match that with your relaxed state and abiliy to pull bits and pieces of info from nowhere your presentation will seem flawless no matter how much you mess it up.

6

I also used to be terrified of public speaking. In my new career I’ll have to do it on a regular basis, and I’m fine with that. Here’s a few tips that helped me get there:

First, stop caring about what everyone thinks. Realize that when they were up there, you were worrying about what you were going to say. They’re all doing the same thing. No one in the room, except maybe the professor, is really listening, and the professor has had people pass out on the podium before. I guarantee it.

Second, unlock your knees. I know you’re doing it, and it makes you light headed.

Third, can you get into the room where your speech class is after hours? Practice talking to an empty room. Then start bringing a friendly audience (just a couple of people). By the time you have to give a speech, you should “own” the room, feel like it’s your space and the other people are there because you let them be there. The more you practice, the easier it is to get to this feeling, until you can walk into any room and own it.

Fourth, if you get lost or tripped up, go ahead and pause, take a deep breath, and move on. Even professional speakers trip over themselves sometimes. Usually you’re speaking too fast anyway, and the breath will make you slow it down. Don’t be afraid to smile a bit, even if you’re not feeling much like smiling. The people you’re talking to will subconsciously mimic your body language and facial expression. If it’s relaxed and positive, they become relaxed and positive. Then, when you see the people in the room looking receptive, you’ll relax more too. It’s a virtuous circle. All you have to do is learn to fake it at first to get it started.

I don’t know if you have a podium or not, but try not to rely on it. I was forced to learn without one, and it helped me a lot in getting my body language under control.

Seconding the suit idea too. I always dress up when I’m presenting, it’s emotional armor for me.

7

Beta blockers. I haven’t used them but hear they work wonders.

8

Start answering questions in class and get used to people looking at you while you talk. Once you get past the jitters when all eyes are you on public speaking becomes much easier. Remember to enunciate your words and take your time speaking- it is your speech and your speed.

Make conscious effort not to add in filler words such as Um, OK and alright (my personal bane); if you are not sure what to say take a deep breathe while maintaining composure, regain your zen and keep on with the speech.

Practice makes perfect when it comes to public speaking, if it was easy, or if everyone could do it do you really think they would have an almost mandatory class in college about it? You’ll do just fine if you can make these steps become your natural inclination.

If it makes you feel better I froze up in class today when a cute ass red head sat next to me, I would much rather freeze up in front of a group than in front of attractive women.

9

[quote]devildog_jim wrote:

First, stop caring about what everyone thinks…[/quote]

This is predominantly what you MUST do. I was the same exact way in HS I was so afraid of what others might think of me. You have to turn the kid/insecure thing off in your brain and ACT. Be funny if you can. Unnunciate more, pretend you are a radio announcer. What you are doing essentially becoming another persona. And you know what, you may think THAT idea is rediculous, but it works.

I was a stuck up girl chasing football player and I could not stand to get up for a speech. How totally and completely lame is that?

Become the guy in the Old Spice commercial who is telling the woman look at me, now your man, look again…riding a camel with diamonds …

Make serious eye contact with the crowd and make THEM uneasy.

Ask a question of the crowd…

Make a joke…

These things will make you more comfortable.

After College I still had the fear, and then I got a job as a software trainer, in front of groups of 10-30 right out of school. “Do you even shave yet” was one question I was asked out loud with a few snickers before my class began. You need to smile, and be confident. After 5-6 times it becomes easy.

15 years later I still sell shit and give presentations and conference papers in front of crowds of 50-100 at times. I can work a crowd, no matter the topic. The trick is to not give a damn about what someone thinks of your balding head, shitty tie, whatever…

Just be confident and engage the crowd.

Oh and try not to act like a dipshit idiot what clams up and have everyone laugh at you.

10

[quote]Rockscar wrote:
Make serious eye contact with the crowd and make THEM uneasy.[/quote]

Exactly. You gotta flip that shit.

Adderall would help, as well. Your thoughts will be racing a mile ahead of your mouth and you will be pulling shit out of your ass you forgot you even thought about. Just remember to not attempt to talk as fast as you’re thinking, or else you will seem a little cracked.

(lol at the Count in a Mandarin suit)

11

Like most people said its a practice thing, I don’t think I was ever terrified of going up in front of my class, but 5 minutes prior my heart was racing every time.

One thing that always helped me stay on track is to walk around, it’s kind of weird but I’d use posterboards and walk around pointing shit out as I talked. Kind of came from presenting cars, I never stopped moving for more then a second so I’m used to it. Find what works for you and do it. Some people never look at the croud, they glance back and forth on the back wall 3 inches above someones head.

12

[quote]Tyrant wrote:
Some people never look at the croud, they glance back and forth on the back wall 3 inches above someones head.[/quote]

If you want to be the next president, do this. Otherwise, not looking them in the eye ensures they don’t listen to you or beleive you either.

13

Like the others that have posted, I used to get terrified of public speaking. I don’t know how I passed my public speaking/speech class in college.

I joined the Army in 2005, which did quite bit to improve my public speaking skills. I still get nervous, but it is at a level that doesn’t effect my presentation.

I used to get up in front of people and my throat would get dry and I would forget everything I was going to talk about. Not anymore.

One tip I will give is to focus on one or two people in the audience (or focus on a point in the room where it appears you are engaging the audience). By doing this you can (sorta) block out all the other faces in the room. Find a good looking woman or a friend and try to focus on them.

14

I was a shy, quiet thing in high school until I joined the debate team, which got me over my fear of talking in front of people awfully fast…did a lot of political stuff in college, too, and now I have to say that although I still feel a few nerves every now and then, ultimately I really enjoy the thrill and also the sound of my own voice.

Things that help (a lot of this is much the same as what others here have said):

Definitely know your subject matter. Unless you are naturally gifted in the art of quick thinking on your feet and/or bullshitting, it’s best to have an excellent handle on your material, from several angles. If there’s going to be a Q & A, try to anticipate what sort of questions you’ll be fielding in advance, and possible answers.

SLOW. You are almost certainly speaking too quickly. It’s a natural reflex to try and get it over with as fast as possible if you’re nervous. Try timing the speech in front of someone you’re comfortable with, having them check your pace, and then you’ll know about how long it should take you and can even bring a little timer up to the podium with you if it’ll help keep pace.

Warm up your voice. A lot of times you’ll find words sticking and getting breathy because you’re speaking cold. When I know I’ll be speaking at length in front of people, I blast faster-paced songs I know the lyrics to in the car on the way, and sing them loudly. Ridiculous-looking, I’m sure, but it helps keep my voice clear. You can also just read your speech a few times in a room alone somewhere to warm up.

Practice in front of people you’re comfortable with. Or a pet. Or talk to a wall and pretend it’s a group of people. Just get yourself in the center of a room somewhere talking…even though it’s not the actual group you’ll be talking in front of, it will help acclimate you to standing up, on your own, speaking out.

Please don’t drop the class…you can do it! :slight_smile:

15

Stick with the class - at all costs. You WILL get better and you WILL have more confidence speaking in front of people. You also need to keep doing it as much as you can after the class because the anxiety levels will likely return later on, although you will have the experience of the class behind you to help you out.

As for covering your topic adequately, make sure you:

  1. know what you are speaking about
  2. practice your speech repeatedly
  3. know what you are speaking about
  4. use an outline to make sure you hit your main points
  5. know what you are speaking about
  6. concentrate on your breathing and pace of delivery early on in your speech. Most people speak way too fast out of nervousness.

If you cover these, you will do much better in the future. Once you get used to the nervousness and learn how to manage it, you can start to wing your talks as long as you KNOW WHAT YOU ARE SPEAKING ABOUT.

Public speaking classes are invaluable, especially if you have a good instructor. I was lucky that in HS, my PS teacher was a former White House spokesman and knew a thing or two about speaking.

DB

16

[quote]dollarbill44 wrote:
Stick with the class - at all costs. You WILL get better and you WILL have more confidence speaking in front of people. You also need to keep doing it as much as you can after the class because the anxiety levels will likely return later on, although you will have the experience of the class behind you to help you out.

As for covering your topic adequately, make sure you:

  1. know what you are speaking about
  2. practice your speech repeatedly
  3. know what you are speaking about
  4. use an outline to make sure you hit your main points
  5. know what you are speaking about
  6. concentrate on your breathing and pace of delivery early on in your speech. Most people speak way too fast out of nervousness.

If you cover these, you will do much better in the future. Once you get used to the nervousness and learn how to manage it, you can start to wing your talks as long as you KNOW WHAT YOU ARE SPEAKING ABOUT.

Public speaking classes are invaluable, especially if you have a good instructor. I was lucky that in HS, my PS teacher was a former White House spokesman and knew a thing or two about speaking.

DB[/quote]

Yeah, but shouldn’t he know what he’s talking about first?

17

public speaking pffft, i get nervous ordering pizza on the phone.

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The good news is, once you REALLY fuck up and you (hopefully) realize that it didn’t feel bad at all, you’ll do much much better from than on.

19

Take some valium beforehand. You will be so relaxed it won’t even matter.

Honestly though I use to be really bad at it. I would stutter and feel like i couldn’t breathe. What helped me was to take a few big breathes and blow out slowly beforehand.

Also, get to know the students in your class. Talk to them and try to be friends. That way you aren’t doing a presentation in front of a bunch of strangers and it should make you feel more comfortable.

Like other have said, practice your presentation in front of a smaller group, that way you are really familiar with the material.

The last thing that will help you is just to keep going up there and doing it. You will never get over your fear of it unless you keep doing it. The more you do it, the better and more comfortable you will get.

20

Great advice, everyone. Public Speaking is an important part of your life that you need to get handled if you want to be in most leadership positions.

Try Toastmasters. It is a very low pressure environment with professionals who are trying to do the same thing you are. There is no “grade” riding on your speech, there is no limit to the number of groups a week you can attend, so you can go at your own pace. And most importantly, you will get the reps in over time, not just in a semester, but over years. Imagine the improvement you can make during that timeframe!

Good luck.