I had a public speaking contest on Friday...but my hand was shaking, why?

Question

i wasnt nervous....i am the best speaker in my year and i am very animated and speak clearly, fluently and use emphasis etc. but my hand was shaking really bad....that was all, no changes to my voice or sweating just my hand and so i had marks deducted thus probably making me lose....why was my hand shaking?

Answer 1

Best way to cure sweating palms and shaking hands is to have more than adequate preparation.

Did you write out your speech in point-form and rehearse it many times in front of the mirror and in the presence of friends or relatives?

Did you relax sufficiently a couple of hours before the contest and practise slow and deep breathing in the 30 mins leading up to your turn?

If you do the above you would feel highly confident that you would do very well. Affirm yourself that with such great preparations you are likely to be the top three speakers or even the champion! Imagine yourself receiving the top prize and the applause from the crowd.

Such 'tricks' often work - try it the next time you give any public speech. Best of luck!

Answer 2

Although you are, as you say, a competent speaker, there will be occassions when your sub-concious allows you to lose confidence, for whatever reason. People are affected in different ways. Some may stutter or forget what they are supposed to say. In your case it was the shaking hand syndrome which is very common. I have been a singer on the social clubs for many years, and when I first started I used to sweat with fear. Even now I sometimes feel nervous although it only lasts until I get on stage. Believe me your shaking is normal, and as your confidence grows it will pass.

Answer 3

You had what is commonly known as "stage fright." Most actors have the same feeling before going on stage, even if they've been doing so for years. Unfortunately, fear of failure often leads to failure. Next time, think positively and accept the fact that you'll be nervous. Take a few deep breaths to oxygenate the brain and get the blood flowing and then go out there and show them what you can do. I hereby lend you my life's motto, taken from the original Matrix film: "Focus, focus. You can do this." So go ahead and show them.!

Answer 4

A shaking hand in indicitive of other things.

I think you focused to much onthe hand and you were not as on the ball as you may have thought you were

Answer 5

you may not think you were nervous but maybe your sub-conscience was thinking otherwise

Answer 6

Believe me, it was adrenaline; nerves!..