Oct
23
The Fear of Public Speaking & Giving Presentations
ByIf just the thought of speaking in front of a group gets you nervous – You are not alone!
Survey after survey says many people would rather die than give a speech.
Actually, some nervous energy is good to have! Harness it, and turn it into enthusiasm for your subject.
In Toastmasters we’re taught not to get rid of the butterflies, but to teach them to fly in formation! Know your material, and know it well. In fact, know it very well!
- Practice, practice, practice.
- Practice does not make perfect.
- Perfect practice makes perfect – but, and I recently saw this quote, “The road to perfection never ends.”
- Do deep breathing exercises.
- Do these from the diaphragm, and exhale slowly through your mouth.
- Think about when you sigh. Feel less stressed, don’t you? It’s the same principal.
- Do these from the diaphragm, and exhale slowly through your mouth.
- Get a good night’s sleep the evening before speaking.
- Do isometrics
- Squeeze a rubber ball tightly – and release.
- Raise your arm against a wall – and release.
- Arrive early and ‘Meet ‘n Greet’!
- When your start speaking, it will be like you’re with friends rather than strangers.
- This makes a huge difference.
- When your start speaking, it will be like you’re with friends rather than strangers.
- Know that the audience wants you to be successful. They’re pulling for you!
- (Most of them are glad it’s you delivering a presentation rather than them!)
About the Author:
Fred E. Miller coaches, speaks and writes about Public Speaking and Presentation Skills.
314-517-8772
Fred@NoSweatPublicSpeaking.com
http://www.nosweatpublicspeaking.com
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This is a great post. What a great site! I stumbled upon it today. I like the suggestion about getting the butterflies to work with you instead of getting rid of them. It is that nervous butterfly feeling that always has me coming unglued before speaking. It is hard to get rid of that unwanted feeling. Now I am going to just picture letting those butterflies hang around and do something useful. I am going to rethink my strategies.
Jessica:
Thanks for the kind words.
Do you do any Public Speaking?
Fred