Public speaking

[jd_uk]

Anyone here successfully ocercome the nerves of giving presentations/speeches in front of large audiences or at interviews?

It's probably one of my only, albeit irrational fears and i have to give a 10 minute presentation in front of an interview panel towards the end of the week. Not particularly looking forward to it i have to admit.

 

[Gymgurl]

I just do it.....I hate it....and sometimes forget what I even said....but I just do it....You can do it...It is all in your mind......

 

[GoldenDelicious]

getting there. try announcing stuff to a wedding party of 600. wonderful.

 

[Phaded]

i'd rather be dead than give speeches..

i usually do anything in power to get out of them..

 

[GUARDIAN]

thought this was the public spanking thread.....oh well. now that i am here i will tell ya that i have been an introvery all my life. work meetings, speeches, & teaching helped overcome that.

it gets easier with each time. sometimes right before my 1st class each semester my stomach gets a little upset.

 

[Smurfy]

i think it mostly has to do with gaining confidence. once you have full confidence in yourself and what you're saying, there's nothing to be nervous about.
i had an irrational fear of public speaking as well when I was younger. i remember having huge issues as young as junior high speech class. it caused immense anxiety for me. somehow as i got older, i grew out of it.

 

[Bikini Mod]

I've done it plenty of times in person (I do it on a regular basis for my staff) and on the radio and once you have confidence in what you are saying - then you will do fine.

Make notecards if you have to, that helps. But seriously, do you believe in what it that you are presenting? Then you will do perfectly fine.

 

[mrplunkey]

1) Completely understand what you are talking about
2) Be confident that the people you are addressing need to know what you are saying

One of my mentors, a devout atheist, told me that when you are speaking to a group you should convince yourself that you are "doing the Lord's work". So think of it as a mission, obligation, and service you are doing by speaking to these people.

As for me personally, I looooove a big room.

 

[blueta2]

It's not irrational at all. It's a rational fear.
I used to be so cool with public speaking, but lost confidence and now worry I will make a fool out of myself.
I was in a meeting with a large group a yr ago and had to ask a question. I got all nervous while asking it and panicked a little, but I just did it.
There is a saying that works for me "feel the fear and do it anyway"
The more you do it, the easier it gets.

 

[needtogetarmy]

I have to do it all the time and I get nervous as hell. It is purely psychological for me. I have been totally nervous in front of a small crowd of 6 people yet had total confidence when speaking to crowds of over 500.

Preparation and rehearsal have alway helped me overcome some of the nervousness.

 

[jd_uk]

But seriously, do you believe in what it that you are presenting?

I think that is what it is. If i had to give a presentation on something that I was really interested in or believed in then i'd be fine but because it is for a job interview then it is one of those stupid common sense questions that i don't really believe needs thinking about. Therefore, i'm getting nervous thinking about giving a presentation on it. Ah well...

 

[jd_uk]

2) Be confident that the people you are addressing need to know what you are saying

That's the thing...they already know all about the topic i am presenting to them. They are marking me on it which adds a bit of pressure.