is this a normal thing?

Question

i get very nervous when i have to present in front of an audience .. is it a normal thing? or does it have something to do with social phobia?

Answer 1

This is some thing nearly every one experiences in the beginning. Do your knees feel like Gumby's when you have to get up and speak in front of a group?

If you said yes to either of the questions above, be advised, you have a full-blown case of stage fright, says Lenny Laskowski, a professional speaker and President of LJL Seminars. Laslowski says the following:

According to the book of lists, the fear of speaking in public is the #1 fear of all fears. The fear of dying is #7! Over 41% of people have some fear or anxiety dealing with speaking in front of groups. People who have this fear can experience all kinds of symptoms: Sweaty palms, accelerated heart rate, memory loss and even difficulty in breathing.

Some of the world's most famous presenters have freely admitted to nervousness and stage fright. Mark Twain said it best, "There are two types of speakers: those that are nervous and those that are liars".

Everyone, even experienced speakers, has some anxiety when speaking in front of a group of people. This is perfectly normal. The best way to deal with this anxiety is to first acknowledge that this fear is perfectly normal and you are not alone. To reduce your fear, you need to make sure you properly and thoroughly prepare yourself before you speak. Proper preparation and rehearsal can help to reduce this fear by about 75%. Proper breathing techniques can further reduce this fear by another 15%. Your mental state accounts for the remaining 10%.

Below are just a few suggestions you should use to overcome your speaking anxiety. The first and most important of all is preparation. I like to think of it as the 9 P's:

Prior Proper Preparation
Prevents Poor Performance
of the
Person Putting on the Presentation.
Nothing will relax you more than to know you are properly prepared. Below are 10 steps you can take to reduce your speech anxiety.


Know the room - become familiar with the place in which you will speak. Arrive early and walk around the room including the speaking area. Stand at the lectern, speak into the microphone. Walk around where the audience will be seated. Walk from where you will be seated to the place where you will be speaking.


Know the Audience - If possible, greet some of the audience as they arrive and chat with them. It is easier to speak to a group of friends than to a group of strangers.


Know Your Material - If you are not familiar with your material or are uncomfortable with it, your nervousness will increase. Practice your speech or presentation and revise it until you can present it with ease.


Learn How to Relax - You can ease tension by doing exercises. Sit comfortable with your back straight. Breathe in slowly, hold your breath for 4 to 5 seconds, then slowly exhale. To relax your facial muscles, open your mouth and eyes wide, then close them tightly.


Visualize Yourself Speaking - Imagine yourself walking confidently to the lectern as the audience applauds. Imagine yourself speaking, your voice loud, clear and assured. When you visualize yourself as successful, you will be successful.


Realize People Want You To Succeed - All audiences want speakers to be interesting, stimulating, informative and entertaining. They want you to succeed - not fail.


Don't apologize For Being Nervous - Most of the time your nervousness does not show at all. If you don't say anything about it, nobody will notice. If you mention your nervousness or apologize for any problems you think you have with your speech, you'll only be calling attention to it. Had you remained silent, your listeners may not have noticed at all.


Concentrate on Your Message - not the medium - Your nervous feelings will dissipate if you focus your attention away from your anxieties and concentrate on your message and your audience, not yourself.


Turn Nervousness into Positive Energy - the same nervous energy that causes stage fright can be an asset to you. Harness it, and transform it into vitality and enthusiasm.


Gain Experience - Experience builds confidence, which is the key to effective speaking. Most beginning speakers find their anxieties decrease after each speech they give.

If the fear of public speaking causes you to prepare more, then the fear of speaking serves as it's own best antidote.

Remember, "He who fails to prepare is preparing for failure - so Prepare, Prepare, Prepare"

Answer 2

very very normal thing.
though I was in Dale Carnegie which teaches you how to do planned and impromptu presentations, I still get nervous. everyone gets nervous. I've heard of famous singers that throw up before going on stage every time.
the more you get up in front of an audience though, the easier it gets.

Answer 3

It's very normal. Everybody, unless they're just freakishly good with people, get nervous. Myself, I start freaking out, sometimes mess up my words, forget what to say - and that's just presenting in front of a class.

Answer 4

It's so beyond normal I can hardly believe you're asking!

Studies show that people are more afraid of public speaking than they are of dying!

If you want to get better at it, and more comfortable, look into joining Toastmasters. They're a group who work on improving public speaking skills.

Answer 5

Yes it's normal just take a couple of deep breaths and look over the peoples heads.

Answer 6

Stage fright is the number one fear, according to a lot of surveys. So, yes, it's normal.

Being prepared goes a long way towards reducing anxiety.

Answer 7

social anxiety or panic attack?

I would research both... However, for most people speaking in front of a crowd is quiet nerve racking...and very normal....other symptons would further explain your question.

Answer 8

normal,

this might not work for everyone..
but if you dont normally drink coffee, drink some coffee BLACK like an hour before.. tbh it personally gives me confidence and helps my ideas flow better, and i can talk easier

lol idk if that works for everyone though..
dont add sugar (it'll make you crash badly and moodily)

Answer 9

it is normal

just have to calm down and relax

Answer 10

Imagine the group, your speaking to, naked.