What are some good reasons NOT to be nervous when public speaking?

Question

I have to give a small presentation tomorrow...

I know this question is probably not correctly placed, but I love you all in the philosophy section :-).

Thanx in advance for your insight! Muah!

Hi my friend Mdgreg C. It's a committee presentation, but everyone will be drilling me. I'm practising my face-off right now and trying to anticipate every question...

Thanx to all who have answered so far. You are all sooooooooooo kind....and, you really all seem to know what you're talking about. Great advice!!! Huggz!

Hi Numbsain!! Know what I'm saying? LOL. I know what you're saying and I thank-you for it :-).

Thanx for your edit Mdgreg C. I think you're right. And, besides, it's MY study. Who else knows it better right? There is always some that can't too though, but like Blixa22 has appropriately pointed out: SFW :-). Loved that!

Answer 1

Just remember we are all humans and we all get nervous. If you think about what you want to get across to them it makes you less nervous, you might want to work with your mind and see yourself calm and giving the presentation well, this helps.

Answer 2

All those answers and suggestions up there are very good pointers for you. So I think I'd just give you my own tricks that I like to use whenever I present my design to clients:-

1) NEVER rush your words.
We all tend to speak rapidly when nervous. Remember to pace yourself, don't hurry to make your point. Give people time to digest the ideas behind your words. And this could give yourself some time to think before you speak, and you wouldn't accidentally blurt out something really embarrassing!

2) Map your speech out in your head
Although you have cue cards in your hands, it's always a good idea to have the basic points all straightened and partly memorized out in your head. You would feel more comfortable speaking when you know exactly what you're going to say next, and this could considerably reduce your feeling of anxiety during presentation.

3) Wear comfortable clothes and keep your hair back from your face.
So you wont have to fidget with your skirt or blouse and flick back unruly hair while speaking. That could be too distracting - for you and for your audience.

4)Stand straight, shoulders back, legs slightly apart and keep your chin slightly outward...
For better voice projection and physical balance. And remember to breathe! You need enough oxygen to maintain your stamina. And breathing deeply can help lower your heart rate, and then you'll start to feel a lot less nervous.

5) Don't forget to smile! (occasionally, where warranted)
A smile can automatically put your nerves at ease too. And it would come across to your audience that you are relaxed and confident. Pick out a face occasionally and smile right at them. They will perk up when they see you addressing them that way.

6) Use some visual media, if possible.
So that the audience (and yourself) will have a break from a possibly extensive monologue. This will also help them to understand better the ideas that you want to send across. Get some images of people or things that could communicate your ideas.

7) When the time comes for questions and answers session, do not rush to answer; thank the questioner and take a little time to formulate your answer. They just want your opinion or some clarification on certain things. No big deal, okay?

I have more, but I have covered some of the basics here for you. Don't worry, okay? Breathe deeply, that's the key and speak slowly. The rest will fall into place.

A presentation is not about getting caught at what you don't know. It's an opportunity to tell people of what you DO know.

And you'll be just fine...

Answer 3

I would start by saying that you are already going to be better for having posted this question; it shows a desire and interest in good performance. This is not the case for many speakers.

Next, I would add that attitude is "almost" everything. Let your audience here the passion you have for your subject; such passion is contagious.

Next, mentally prepare. I once heard a quote that said, 'think you can or think you can't, you are probably right." If you think you can be successful, then you will be.

Next, learn to control your breathing. If you start taking short, shallow breathes, then your heart will race (because it will be doing more work). Take long, deep breathes. It will relax you and calm you. Also, realize there is no such thing as a perfect presentation. Aim for excellence, not perfection.

Lastly, know your material well. The better we know a subject, the better we express it. For example, if I asked you to speak for 30 minutes about yourself. You could. Why? Because you are an expert on it. No one in the audience could say: "No, you don't really like vanilla ice cream" (because they would seem wrong automatically). Practice and know your stuff, and you will give a great presentation.

Answer 4

Don't be nervous because ...
Everyone there is expecting you to have no reason to be nervous. They believe in your ability and expect you to know what you're talking about - they'll be surprised if you mess anything up. In fact, they might not even notice if you do. Think about your attitude when you see a speaker ... when they're nervous, you're like, why???

And if you do make a mistake or you freeze on a question... SFW? It'd kinda be better if you did mess up at least once, because then you can laugh at yourself and break up the ultraseriousness of it all ... and everyone will be relieved that you're human. (I suggest if you anticipate being weak on a topic, plan a wisecrack to make about it if you're asked a hard question - then just give it your best shot even if you know you're probably wrong.)

Good luck!

Answer 5

Well, from knowing you personally I can honestly say you're probably smarter than 95% of the people there.

You would be gracing any room with your presence and the audience is receiving the rare privilage of hearing someone of your caliber speak.

People are very forgiving when they like someone and you are a very likable person. In fact they will probably be a little intimidated by you so slow things down and make them more comfortable. This will also give you the time to compose yourself and breath and that will give you the edge.

You'll ace this speech, I guarantee it, I have total confidence in you K.

Answer 6

Keep in mind that even the best speakers, get a bit nervous from time to time! They just hide it......really well.

YOU were asked to give a presentation because whoever asked you, truly believes that YOU are the BEST person to speak about the topic.

So when you step up, take a deep breath before you begin, and remember how much confidence your boss has in you. He/She has that confidence becuase YOU are the best person for the presentation.

You'll do great, I am sure of it!! Remember to smile and make eye contact!! Good luck and buy yourself something as a treat when it's over!!

Answer 7

My number one reason for not being nervous when I speak publicly is.... it's easier that way.

Being nervous is a nasty downward cycle that just gets worse (well, that's what a downward cycle does, afterall).

My boyfriend has a philosophy of life inspired from fishing that I think works well for public speaking:
Don't try to catch the fish. Believe that you're going to catch the fish. You have to believe!

Even though I make fun of him for it, it does make sense. Confidence, even if it's fake and just put-on for the current purpose, is extremely powerful. If you just pretend that you are comfortable and in charge, you find that people around you start treating you like you know what you're doing -- and that gives you a lot of confidence.

Aaaaand now I'm starting to sound like a self-help book :)

Good luck!

Answer 8

Depends what the presentation is. If its at school or uni there's no need to be nervous as chances are your audience isn't even listening so won't notice whether your nervous or not -so your nerves are wasted on them. It's basically you just chatting away at whoever's marking you. One person -which makes it more like a conversation with lots of distracted people in the room than a public address.

Answer 9

be happy you are there, and able to give the presentation, it could be much worse, you could be very ill, or in a war someplace, also remember that most others in the audience would be nervous if in your position, and they are not nearly as critical of you as you are of yourself
finally, think of the worse case scenarios, what could happen? you stumble over words or forget what you wanted to say? most everyone has done that at some time , make a notecard highlighting the main points, so you can get back on track if you get off,

Answer 10

You Will Be Much More At Ease, if you Know your S$$$ Cold.

K, I've Been Grilled Before, Most of the Questions Could Be Anticipated.