Can someone tell me how not to worry about doing a presentations before I have to do it?

Question

I need advice on how not to worry about messing up or not talking loud enough.

Answer 1

Being prepared is the best anti-anxiety medicine. If you know the subject backwards and forwards to the point that you can just talk about it without a speech card, you'll do much better than just reading from the notes.

Answer 2

First of all, you need to practice on your own. Practice just reading it, then go to the mirror and try and focus on eye contact with your eyes. Then, practice your presentation in front of family and friends. All this practice will help you in the long run. THe day of you presentation, always remember to have eye contact...pick 3 locations throughout the room and look back and forth between those locations, but don't be spastic about it...and look at the top of their heads if you can't make eye contact with out getting nervous. And before you present, try and do meditaion- think of a happy place- seriously..it really works, it calms you and you look much more relaxed, confident and you are sure to get an A!!! GOod LUck!!!

Answer 3

Practice your presentation in front of a mirror a few times. Don't fret too much about not being heard. If you cannot be heard, then allow the possibility that someone in the audience will ask you to speak louder. Then, speak louder.
If nothing else, know this: people want you to succeed. Even if you stumble a bit at first, people are in general a very forgiving bunch. Just recover quickly, and entertain another possibility: that you could actually enjoy what you are doing.

Answer 4

1. Know your subject material so well you could recite it in your sleep. If someone asks you a question, you won't be thrown off, and you won't lose your train of thought when you are up in front of people.

2. Practice is important, but not as important as knowing what you are talking about. It's easy to get nervous if you practiced doing the same thing over and over and then you forget your "routine" in front of people. If you know what you are talking about inside and out, this won't happen because you'll know just what to say.

3. Make sure you get plenty of sleep the night before, no matter how nervous you are. Also be sure to eat a good meal and drink plenty of water. It is proven that all of these things help to concentrate better and allow for a clear head.

4. Practicing by yourself, and in front of people, is very helpful, but try not to just recite what you have on a piece of paper. Ask someone to carry on a conversation with you about your subject material, so you can see how it sounds when you naturally explain the material. This will help you to make a much more useful presentation in the end, and your audience will appreciate your delivery.

5. Remember that everyone in your audience is a lot more focused on themselves than they are on you. I know people say this a lot, but it is really, really true. They will likely be interested in what you have to say, but don't be afraid of them looking at you, or thinking about you, because they are probably much more preoccupied with their own lives, or how their hair looks, or maybe even they are feeling stupid about something embarrassing they said earlier that day.

GOOD LUCK!

Answer 5

Just practice your presentation with some friends. Set it up in an atmosphere that will be similar to the location of the real presentation and they can give you tips and tell you if you're speaking loud enough and clear enough. You'll be nervous which no one can help that but if you practice you'll be ready.

Answer 6

If you are just preparing for a presentation coming up very soon, you can practice the presentation for people. The more times you do it, the easier it will be.

If you are thinking of a longer term thing for future presentations, try joining Toastmasters International.

Answer 7

Do the presentation in front of very close friends and family. If you can do it in front of them, strangers are no match. I have to do that all the time before I perform opera on stage. If it's possible, have someone whom you can count on for positive support in the room.

Answer 8

The key is to practice, practice, practice your presentation a few times. Ask a friend or family member to listen to make sure you are not speaking too loud.

Good luck!

Answer 9

Know your subject very, very well--the better you know what you're talking about the more confident you will be.

Then simply ask your audience, "Am I speaking loud enough? Can you all hear me?" in an informal way should tell you how you're doing.

Answer 10

Picture someone you really admire in front of you... or just pretend your talking to your sister or mom or someone you can easily talk to