The more people are in a group, the more nervous I get when it's my turn to speak. Is there anything I can do? This affects my work during meetings. There are about 16-17 people in my workgroup.
2007-03-27 09:21:24 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Social Science ➔ Psychology
Read about social anxiety disorder. You may have it.
2007-03-27 09:28:02 · answer #1 · answered by peaches 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The first step is to make sure you are confident in your subject matter, and also well versed. After that, its all psychological. Speaking to 16 is exactly the same as speaking to 1. So focus on that one...whomever you are most confident with, and you should be fine.
Realize that the more you obsess about these things, the worse it becomes.
2007-03-27 09:28:06 · answer #2 · answered by Super Ruper 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best thing that I can say would be to try to imagine everybody in their underwear or in some sort of silly costume. That might make you laugh a little bit on the inside. But it might very well calm you down so that you get accomplished what you set out to do. If that doesn't work then simply pick out out one particular person in the audience and look at them while you are giving your speech.
2007-03-27 09:58:15 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Everyone is scared to speak in public so make sure you understand this first. Now just relax and focus and the best thing you can do is to be prepared. Practice!
Below is a great article that will really help you deal with speaking in public.
2007-03-27 09:32:48 · answer #4 · answered by streetforce1 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no tricks! I am like this as well.
You just have to remember that these people are not any better than you. You are just as good of a human being as these people. You have to remember that many of these same people may equally feel uncomfortable about being in groups.
When you get comfortable with a group of people this feeling goes away and that's because you blend in with them because your now at the same level at they are.
It will be the same way with all groups of people. Just remember.... your just as good as they are, and what you have to say is just as important as what they have to say. The laugh, cry, sneeze and fart just like you ;)
Good Luck!
and you don't have a disorder... your just human.
2007-03-27 09:27:18 · answer #5 · answered by SoulRebel79 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have social anxiety in group settings. One thing to do is identify self-defeating thoughts in these situations. For most people who get nervous, a self-defeating thought is: "They are judging me!"
Self-defeating thoughts have to be replaced with thoughts that more accurately represent what is going on. In a group setting, people are far more interested in 'what' you say than in 'how' you say it.
Practise makes perfect so I recommend a completely disarming situation where people expect you to work on your weaknesses and support you in the process. There is one such place, it is called Toastmasters.
Good luck.
2007-03-27 09:41:55 · answer #6 · answered by Dave 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Join Toastmasters - this is exacty what they exist for.
2007-03-27 09:28:49 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋