Speaking Anxiety by Gerrie Ferris Finger
Fear of speaking
in public
Fear of
what people think of me and my presentation
Fear of
losing control
Fear of
looking foolish
For my next big
presentation, I’m going to take my cues
from the Mayo Clinic:
Preparation is everything:
I
write my speeches and condense into bullet presentations. Nothing is more
boring than reading a script. I’m not good at memorizing so I wing it between bullet
points — knowing, of course, what my subject is — like introducing the
characters in my latest novel, which is a series. Obviously, I know them very
well. I know what my book is about, but sometimes my mind scrambles and I get
carried away with “what comes next.”
I am as prepared as I can
be, before anxiety overtakes me. So what do the experts recommend?
Exploit nervous energy:
Nervous energy isn’t always a bad thing. In fact,
research has shown that good stress helps the mind to focus more clearly. Also,
getting the blood pumping sharpens the senses. Energy helps to engage audiences
and exhibits passion. So if I turn my negative energy into positive energy, my audience
will sit up and pay attention, unless I start pacing like a caged tiger.
Practice:
If you can, find a speech
coach, otherwise, a friend or family member can be your audience. Even
practicing by video recording yourself and playing it back makes a difference. I
made a critical error which contributed to my continuing anxiety. I did a presentation
that was the first I’d given out loud. I was never comfortable during that time
and that experience sticks in my mind.
Here’s
the bottom line, everyone feels some anxiety before a speech. Use these
techniques to calm your nerves and don’t let speaker’s anxiety stop you from being
an engaging speaker.
Cotton
Mouth:
The more nervous I am the more water I
need. The experts say drink water, take a few seconds to wet your whistle, but
I hate to constantly sip from water bottles. Besides, I’m easily distracted
from the nit I want to pick.
Be
Calm:
The experts at the Mayo Clinic recommend
exercise. They always do, no matter the day’s issues. They say even a quick
stroll will help by alleviating anxiety in that it release endorphins that make
you feel better.
Smile:
At everyone you make eye contact with. Tell jokes if appropriate, look
at happy photos. Social interaction calms anxiety and builds confidence. The day of the speech, I
wake up nervous and get really anxiety-ridden right before it’s my turn to
speak. So if I can find a few happy
photos of myself, those that have gotten my right side in profile, I’ll put
them on the lectern next to my bullet point cards.
Breathing can cure self-awareness and self-consciousnesses:
Practice
discreet, deep breathing while keeping a smile on your face, while looking
relaxed.
Visualize yourself as happy:
Picture yourself walking
up to the podium, smiling, calmly giving your speech, and then visualize the
result you want afterward, such as people coming up to volunteer or
congratulate you on your passionate speech. Hmmm.
Don’t put negative thoughts in your head:
Don’t dwell on past
inelegant performances. Enough said.
Prepare,
Prepare, Prepare:
If you don’t prepare for your
speech, you’ll end up stressed and anxious beforehand. Make sure you know what
you’re going to say. Then, practice. Practice your first words more than any
other part so that you can relax and focus on the audience instead of
yourself.
Have a good time.
Conquer that need to be
near an exit.
Bio: Retired
journalist Gerrie Ferris lives on the coast of Georgia with her husband, Alan
Finger, and their standard poodle, Bogey.
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Gerrie
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