Whenever I have to give a presentation to my class or read out loud in front of everyone, I get really nervous, have very deep breaths, and my heart POUNDS! i cant even talk after like 30 seconds and i shake and you can tell im a wreck...How can I overcome this?
2006-12-13 11:55:07 · 14 answers · asked by Chriss 3 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
I really feel for you as I used to stress out about public speaking.
Now, while I don't particularly love it, I can do it without having a total meltdown!
One thing I noticed was that I only got nervous if I had to stand up in front of people. The thought of 30 pairs of eyes watching me as I talked made me freak out.
So I decided to prepare some small handouts related to my speech and give them out before I started talking. Most people were looking at the handout and not just staring at me.
Who knows if they were even listening! All I know is after that I started to realise I could control my nerves with a little forward planning.
I agree with anyone who has answered this question and said "know your material". If you are comfortable with the topic and believe it, it will flow a lot better.
I know I was a shy and a not so confident teenager back when I was at school - you can over come it - just believe in yourself :)
Good Luck
2006-12-13 13:31:00 · answer #1 · answered by Not_a_toothless_pirate 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well qwiksilver, you're not alone. the number one fear of americans is... you guessed it, public speaking. here are a couple tips for staying calm in front of a group of people.
1. know you're material! if you know the information you're talking about you won't have to check your notes that often while you're talking (which could make you flustered)
2. make eyecontact with your audience. if you have friends in the class, take some time during your speech to look at them. it will make you feel like you are talking to them which is more familiar and easy. plus, friends generally give good non-verbal feedback like smiling or nodding.
3. practice your speech in front of an audience before you give it in class. the more you practice the better you'll be in front of everyone. i always practiced in front of my roommate, even if she was working on other things while i was speaking it was good to verbalize my ideas and then i also got honest feedback from her.
4. have some water with you, even if you want to take a drink during your speech it can help you calm down and refocus.
5. BREATHE!!! if you close your eyes and take a couple deep breaths before you go up you can slow your heart rate down and you will feel more calm.
hope this helps!
2006-12-13 12:09:21 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Life has a rule about these things. First the doing then comes the courage. You must do first. What you do is get some friends, select a subject you are expert in and give a speech in front of them. Do this a number of times and it becomes second nature. But remember you must do. Don't worry about embarrising youself or making a mistake. Have this thought in mind. That you are the one who has got the guts to go out there and make a speech. Anyone who critises or makes fun of you is not the one out there DOING.
Point that out to them if it happens. And have support when you do.
Remember: FIRST COMES THE DOING THEN COMES THE COURAGE.
2006-12-13 12:01:35 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I used to get that way, and I still do *sometimes*. I have found that the more you speak in public the easier it gets. I dunno about you, but I was also really shy about silly things...like raising my hand in class. Maybe if you start raising your hand, or answering more questions, you'll feel more comfortable. Or maybe even getting more acquainted with the people in your class might help. If you know everyone, then its like getting up and talking to a group of friends, rather than a group of strangers. I hope this helps, and good luck!
2006-12-13 11:58:41 · answer #4 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Practice speaking a lot. When you are speaking, focus on points above people's heads, it is better than looking at their faces. Don't lock your knees, people faint from that. Before you start, take a couple breaths and focus on delivering your speech. Try not to fidget, use had and arm gestured instead. Trust me, it helped me through my first year of speech competitions.
2006-12-13 12:04:54 · answer #5 · answered by kiera00 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Realize that if anyone of the people you're talking to changed places with you they would be just as nervous.
One thing you can do is be prepared and know what you're talking about.
You might try taking a course in Public Speaking...all colleges have them.
2006-12-13 11:57:56 · answer #6 · answered by daljack -a girl 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take some deep breaths before speaking. Also practice public speaking at every opportunity. Practice makes perfect!
2006-12-13 11:57:35 · answer #7 · answered by Terry C 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
do not undertaking, you at the instant are not on my own. I oftentimes get worried too. i comprehend it sounds cliche, yet breathe deaply. In for 5, out for 5. additionally, stretching earlier facilitates. i like to reached up as extreme as i will, and then, slowly, convey your hands down so as that your top physique is fabulous limply. This has quite helped me in the previous a overall performance or speech.
2016-10-14 21:43:47 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when i was in college i took an oral communications class. the day we talked about fears associated with public speaking, and everybody seemed to have them. after about 3 months of giving speaches regularly in that class, i don't feel so nervous anymore.
2006-12-13 11:58:37 · answer #9 · answered by Smitten_Kitten 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to start by firmly believing in what you're speaking about, BUT make sure to never plan, rehearse or read what you're going to say (any more than you have to).
The rest is going to take some practice.
2006-12-13 11:59:05 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋