Overcoming Speech Anxiety
What sort of techniques/exercises/advice have been helpful for you when preparing to present or speak to a group of people?
@CurlsAndWhirls4
I don't have speech anxiety. But when im nervous about speaking in front of people I remind myself that I'm the one speaking and everyone is listening. That makes me special and somehow qualified to do so. Good preperation and going through everything in front of the mirror, even fixing a point with your eyes and avoid looking at the listeners or the good old "imagine everyone is naked" are helpful.
Did you try to do someting about it yet?
@Histerikal Thanks for your input! You're so right that being prepared and rehearsing are helpful. I usually will try to envision myself doing well and it's very rewarding to see that come true.
@CurlsAndWhirls4
Noone wants to hear that... But the best way to get over it is... doing it.
confront yourself with such situations and watch the anxiety go away as you will see you are not going to die because of it! :)
I do a fair amount of public speaking and really - you should be a little nervous - it will help keep you on your toes!
My trick is do take a few deep breaths right before, sip water, and prepare an awesome opening - memorize it. If your hands get cold (mine do) warm them with gloves until you go up. Slow down, speak slower than you think you should and add pauses at appropriate moments. After that first minute if you have done this right- people will be tuned in to you, and you will see that- then you have them in the palm of your hand. In preparation, Listen to a lot of speakers on the topic you have, or people who do the same type of speaking that you do and decide you will be way more interesting than they are. Tell a joke- or two. Make eye contact, but move around the group with your eyes. Don't go one moment too long and have a great finish. Have someone edit your speech and preferably have someone listen as you do it just as you will that day.
There is nothing like that feeling afterwards when you do a terrific speech - you will forget you were ever afraid!
I wish you well
@CurlsAndWhirls4
I have to say when I am asked to speak it is the waiting that causes me to be anxious. Once I get up in front of the Church and start to speak, I first know what points I want to touch upon and I speak from the heart.