2006-12-06 08:56:47 · 13 answers · asked by sendme e 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
Did you know public speaking tops death as people's greatest fear? So you're not alone!
You can take a public speaking class at a local community college. My mother actually teaches one. A club called Toastmasters is also excellent for this.
From personal experience I recommend 2 things: practice and preparation. Practice speaking in front of people, and know your subject well. I myself joined an amateur theatre group and it helped me a lot. The more you do it, the less frightening it is.
One trick I learned was that as I am going on, to hold the first thing I'm about to say in my mind so I don't go blank. Once I get started, it comes much easier.
Kudos to you for wanting to tackle this! Yeah it's nerve-wracking, but you'll be glad you did.
2006-12-06 09:04:00 · answer #1 · answered by KC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Practice makes perfect. The more you try, the easier it will become. You may still have some butterflies in your stomach, but it wont be the overwhelimg sense of nervousness. If you are religious, see if you can do some group prayers, leading. If you are interested in joining any type of club, see if you can lead a meeting or something. If you cannot find any of those opportunities to practice, see if your local community college has some public speaking courses, or even if there is a local meeting group that oyu can attend to help. If you have many friends, you could bribe them all with some entertainment ( movie, drinks, pizza, etc.) while you work speaking to them to improve your skills. You could read anything- a magazine, a bogus speech, to your friends, and they will help you gain more self esteem. most people I know would be willing to do this for their friends- in fact, I knew someone I worked with years ago that did it and it helped her alot.
Good luck!
2006-12-06 17:02:31 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The main solution to this problem is by gradually building up exposure to the situation you fear.
I'm a musician and I used to find it difficult playing with an audience, I used to be note perfect in rehearsal, but put an audience there I forgot how to play, however over time and exposure to the situation I have got used to it and my playing is now of a consistent standard. I'm not saying I don't get nervous, cause I do, it just doesn't freak me out anymore and I get positive feedback and encouragement from people afterwards who have enjoyed my playing.
Firstly everyone, even the most natural practiced and accomplished speakers, get nervous when speaking to groups of people, the people who are good at it are just good at hiding their fear and not letting it overcome them.
Its only natural after all, everyone's attention is focussed on you and you are afraid of making a complete idiot of yourself.
Start of by doing some short presentations to yourself in front of the mirror. You'll feel an idiot at first but you will gradually get used to seeing yourself give oral presentations.
Next invite a couple of mates or family round, who are supportive willing to help and won't take the p*ss. Present to them on something you know really well and are confident about. and get them to offer constructive feedback and empahsize the things you did well.
Expand the audience by a couple of people and do it again, the more times you do it with the more people the better you will become and the more confident you will feel.
Gradually increase the length of presentation and number of people until you feel happy.
You'll find that you have become a lot more confident in dealing with giving oral presentations to groups.
2006-12-06 17:14:30 · answer #3 · answered by Mike 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take a deep breath and remember most of them would be as nervous as you are. Imagine the worst, they wouldn't listen to you? Move on and just relax or try imagining the group doing something stupid or dressed funny etc...
2006-12-06 17:00:03 · answer #4 · answered by dadknows 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Really know your topic, use notes, and practice in front of family. Also read to yourself in front of a mirror so you can see what you look like. If you have to get up in front of strangers (or unfriendly classmates) dress nicely, focus on a spot at the back of the room, and NEVER look anyone in the eye. Good luck.
2006-12-06 17:01:08 · answer #5 · answered by Miz Teri 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Believe in yourself and the words that you speak. The people who come to hear you speak are wanting to hear the truth.
2006-12-06 17:01:25 · answer #6 · answered by kayboff 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You may want to try using EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) http://www.emofree.com/ . It has definitely helped me with my public speaking fears.
2006-12-06 17:02:49 · answer #7 · answered by Tea 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its called social phobia, many people have it , the more you put yourself in this sort of situation the more confident you will feel about it xx
2006-12-06 17:00:34 · answer #8 · answered by kitty 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
DO not look at the people.
Look over their heads at something behind them and talk to it. The kolks will think you are looking at them.
It works!!
2006-12-06 16:59:34 · answer #9 · answered by Chef Bob 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If nothing is perfect why practice?
But what you can do is try to socialize more.I mean it's the only honest answer.
2006-12-06 17:20:04 · answer #10 · answered by Being myself© 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋