Faye B. Roberts
Speaking with confidence in public can be a tremendously difficult thing for some people. There are a number of things you can do to to overcome your nervousness, but realize that even experienced speakers get nervous. Instead of trying to eliminate your jitters, turn them into energy you can use to boost your delivery. When Carol Channing was asked, "On opening night, do you get nervous?" she replied, "I don't call it nervousness - I prefer to call it concentration."
Being prepared is the first and perhaps the most important step to speaking with confidence. If you attempt to give a speech without being prepared you should be nervous. So do your homework, make notes and get everything organized to help you make a good presentation. And practice.
Practice in front of a mirror, practice with your spouse, practice with your children or even the cat, but practice. Walk around as you speak, talk the presentation through point by point. You can use these points in your notes to remind you of each part of your speech. If you're using an overhead or a power point system, test it before your speech. Nothing will make you feel more nervous (and the audience more impatient) than equipment that doesn't work or needs adjustments.
In the thirty seconds before you begin speaking, take a slow, deep breath through your nose, filling your belly. As you breathe out, say to yourself, "Relax, relax." Concentrate on only your breathing until you can feel yourself relaxing. Give yourself a pep talk. "I am a powerful public speaker. I have what it takes to be an effective speaker."
Keep in mind that most stage fright is caused by self-preoccupation. ("How do I look?" "Am I making sense?" "Am I making a fool of myself?") Stop focusing on yourself, focus on the audience and how your speech is going to help them. And keep your speech short and simple. Most beginning speakers try to put too much information in a single speech. Instead, aim to communicate what your audience can understand in the limited time you have.
Practice relaxation techniques for two days before your presentation. Lie down or sit comfortably in a quiet place and breathe slowly with your eyes closed. Scan your body and consciously relax any tense muscles. Imagine yourself behind the podium, speaking powerfully and with confidence. Make the details as sharp as possible, see yourself accomplishing your goal, hear the applause, bask in the feeling of success.
Just before your presentation talk to a few individuals who will be in the audience. Look them in the eye during your speech, one person at a time. Invariably they will nod in agreement with some point you make during the presentation, increasing your confidence. If you can get your audience to identify with you, your job as a speaker becomes much easier and you can relax.
The only person who will know how nervous you really are is you. The audience can't tell if your palms are sweating or your knees are knocking or your heart is pounding so don't tell them. Use the Alcoholics Anonymous credo: "Fake it til you make it." Hold your chin up and smile. Stick your chest out and speak up. Look confident, even if you don't feel it. After awhile you'll begin to feel it.
Accept that mistakes are part of the learning process. After all what skill have you ever learned perfectly the first time you tried it? Continue speaking in public and soon you will be able to overcome your nervousness and fears and be speaking with confidence. You may even grow to enjoy it so much that you will consider a career in public speaking.
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Sunday, June 17, 2007
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Overcoming Public Speaking Fears Forever
Faye B. Roberts
The thought of speaking in public makes most people break out in a cold sweat, feel faint, and see spots in front of their eyes. If you have this type of reaction there are a number of strategies you can use to help you overcome your phobia about public speaking.
Needless to say you must be prepared; have memorized your speech. It's quite alright to bring a sheet of notes or pointers with you, but nothing smells like disaster as much as reading your entire speech.
One method you can use to improve your public speaking abilities is by practicing in front of a mirror. Put a smile, a quizzical expression or other gesture wherever appropriate: you will remember and use them during the actual speech. And speak up! Nothing is worse than listening to a speech no one can hear. So as you practice keep the volume up. When you deliver your speech your volume will indicate confidence, both to yourself and your audience.
There are some things you should (and should not) do immediately before your speech. Don't drink any caffeine based products like coffee, colas or chocolate. Caffeine can cause you to feel jittery and nervous and that's not the effect you want. Contrary to popular opinion, alcohol will not boost your confidence, instead it can cause a panic attack. Relaxing herbal teas make a wonderful alternative. And eat a well balanced meal before your presentation. Low blood sugar can cause feelings of anxiety, increasing your jitters.
Make sure you wear clothes that you feel good in and that are appropriate to the setting. When you step up to the podium you will feel confident that you look good.
As you give your speech do not concentrate on yourself, on how you look or how you think the audience is reacting to you. Instead, concentrate on the information you want to present and how it will effect their lives. Something in your presentation may change someone's life.
The thought of helping others will change you from being a nervous, self-conscious speaker to a comfortable and confident one who people enjoy listening to. Another component of a well delivered speech is selecting a topic of interest to you, if you have the freedom to choose. You will be excited about being able to share this information with others and your excitement will show.
When you first approach the podium and as you are preparing you notes, take a quick look at three people in the audience, one immediately in front of you, one to the left of you and the third to the right of you. Look for something that makes them stand out, perhaps someone with a unique hairdo or an interesting piece of clothing. Anything that makes them stand out of the crowd.
These three people will be your focal points. As you look from one to the other during your speech, it appears that you are looking around the room. Once you are comfortable with those three you will find it is much easier to continue glancing at other members of the audience. Remember to refer to your notes but do not read them, since that is the fastest way to “lose” your audience; look at your audience instead.
No speech will be loved by everyone and no speech will be “perfect,” but each time you speak in public it will be a little easier. You may even find that eventually you will become a proficient speaker and seek out other opportunities for speaking in public.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Faye B. Roberts is living proof that overcoming your fear of public speaking is possible. Get a free report that will reveal to you some little known secrets you can use right now to get on the fast track to successful public speaking Visit: Get your Free Report Here
If you would like more information on this subject to make yourself a effective public speaker then visit Make Me a Good Public Speaker
The thought of speaking in public makes most people break out in a cold sweat, feel faint, and see spots in front of their eyes. If you have this type of reaction there are a number of strategies you can use to help you overcome your phobia about public speaking.
Needless to say you must be prepared; have memorized your speech. It's quite alright to bring a sheet of notes or pointers with you, but nothing smells like disaster as much as reading your entire speech.
One method you can use to improve your public speaking abilities is by practicing in front of a mirror. Put a smile, a quizzical expression or other gesture wherever appropriate: you will remember and use them during the actual speech. And speak up! Nothing is worse than listening to a speech no one can hear. So as you practice keep the volume up. When you deliver your speech your volume will indicate confidence, both to yourself and your audience.
There are some things you should (and should not) do immediately before your speech. Don't drink any caffeine based products like coffee, colas or chocolate. Caffeine can cause you to feel jittery and nervous and that's not the effect you want. Contrary to popular opinion, alcohol will not boost your confidence, instead it can cause a panic attack. Relaxing herbal teas make a wonderful alternative. And eat a well balanced meal before your presentation. Low blood sugar can cause feelings of anxiety, increasing your jitters.
Make sure you wear clothes that you feel good in and that are appropriate to the setting. When you step up to the podium you will feel confident that you look good.
As you give your speech do not concentrate on yourself, on how you look or how you think the audience is reacting to you. Instead, concentrate on the information you want to present and how it will effect their lives. Something in your presentation may change someone's life.
The thought of helping others will change you from being a nervous, self-conscious speaker to a comfortable and confident one who people enjoy listening to. Another component of a well delivered speech is selecting a topic of interest to you, if you have the freedom to choose. You will be excited about being able to share this information with others and your excitement will show.
When you first approach the podium and as you are preparing you notes, take a quick look at three people in the audience, one immediately in front of you, one to the left of you and the third to the right of you. Look for something that makes them stand out, perhaps someone with a unique hairdo or an interesting piece of clothing. Anything that makes them stand out of the crowd.
These three people will be your focal points. As you look from one to the other during your speech, it appears that you are looking around the room. Once you are comfortable with those three you will find it is much easier to continue glancing at other members of the audience. Remember to refer to your notes but do not read them, since that is the fastest way to “lose” your audience; look at your audience instead.
No speech will be loved by everyone and no speech will be “perfect,” but each time you speak in public it will be a little easier. You may even find that eventually you will become a proficient speaker and seek out other opportunities for speaking in public.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Faye B. Roberts is living proof that overcoming your fear of public speaking is possible. Get a free report that will reveal to you some little known secrets you can use right now to get on the fast track to successful public speaking Visit: Get your Free Report Here
If you would like more information on this subject to make yourself a effective public speaker then visit Make Me a Good Public Speaker
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