public speaking

[Aubrey]

I am going to have to give a 10-minute speech in a couple of days (Tues), and I have done very little preparation for it because I have a crippling fear of actually presenting my ideas to anyone. It is just a classroom, but still, every time I start to prepare it, well, I find something else to do, like run to the bathroom. I wish I were joking. (I know, TMI). Any tips? Right now, I am thinking of bringing some vodka and OJ in a thermos.

[Nakamova]

Make sure to bring enough vodka for everyone in the class.

Start with writing down just a brief outline. Then fill in some of the details. If you get stuck, write about the anxiety and fear you are feeling. I know that sounds weird, but writing about it helps to get it out of your system.

[Aubrey]

Thank you, Nakamova. I think about 16 oz of a good, clean, non-migraine inducing vodka and about a gallon of orange juice should do . . . but how much do you think I should I bring for the rest of the class?

But seriously, about the outlining and writing about the parts that are making me nervous, that is good. I will get started on that now.

[travel bug]

Hi Aubrey,

Have you ever tried meditation? I read a book about meditation a few years ago and practiced it for a while. It worked pretty well and wasn't as hard as I had always thought it would be. It really helped me when I was sitting in a waiting room about to meet a doctor to discuss brain surgery - I was literally shaking with fear. But I just started to focus on the sound of the heater blowing, it was as simple as that. (I never could do the breathing thing, I always hyperventilate:P) That stopped the shaking; then I thought about sharing the calmness that was coming over me with everyone in that office, then on that floor, then in that building, then the whole hospital complex...By the time the doctor came in, I was completely relaxed. (Why did I ever stop meditating??)

As for actually getting in front of a class, it helps if you can get there early and make small talk with individuals as they come in. If that's not possible, find someone in the crowd who looks nice and pretend you are talking just to that person.

Good luck to you! If I can get in front of others and talk, you can! Remember, once you get started it gets easier

[Aubrey]

Thank you travel bug. Oh how I wish I felt like I had time for meditation! I think that would be a more productive use of my time than panic attacks so I will try meditation instead if I find myself gagging again while preparing my speech. I am trying to break this down into smaller sections with questions that I will answer. Unfortunately, I have a slightly less scary presentation to give that later that same day. That one should be easier, though, because it is not based on ideas out of my own head, and it is as part of a group. I think signing up for this was not the most sensible idea I have ever had. I hope some good can come of it, though, because that was the original intent.

Thank you again.

[Dutch mom]

I'm a teacher in communications, in one of my classes I teach bachelor students presentation skills (speeching and how to make presentations.)

You could try mindmapping to explore the content and structure of your speech. Making a Prezi is a great tool for mindmapping. The result is a Prezi you can use to visualize your presentation (instead of a dull powerpoint) and with a good Prezi you don't need cue cards, the visualisation helps you to tell your story.

How to make a Prezi
http://prezi.com/learn/

Prezi's & mindmapping
http://prezi.com/explore/search/?search=mindmapping

[Aubrey]

That is something to look into - thanks! You guys have been so helpful.

[RobinN]

I use to be terrified to do any type of public speaking. I think what has helped me overcome this fear, is
1. having children (I learned to speak up for them)
2. being passionate about what I am speaking about
3. realizing what I have to say matters
4. most everyone that listens to me, also has similar feelings and can relate.

[Cinnabar]

Hi, Aubrey. I'm not an "outliner" even when constructing a fictional story. More of a "dash it on a napkin" kind of writer.

During the day, evening, if you have just one word which you feel would add to an effective speech, write it down. A sentence? Write it down. A passionate thought? Write it down.

I fully agree with Dutchmom. Visualization is important. I practice "Creative Vizualization" inspired by a book authored by Shakti Gawain.

[Aubrey]

Aaaah! freakout! I have 8 min to get there - i have not rehearsed enough I have an outline (and another speech almost immediately thereafter, but this is the biggie). A friend of mine said - pretend its 20 of my husband in the class instead of your classmates (he and I don't politically match )

I love you all - If I am still conscious when I get home it will be a miracle.

[Cinnabar]

My best your way...

Laurie

[Aubrey]

Thank you. 1 down, 1 to go. I survived the scary speech - it was supposed to be a summary of a 30 pg paper I wrote. It is a lot harder when it is your own ideas you are presenting. I also have panic attacks and an occasional nervous stutter so, even though I froze up a couple of times, for me that is good, so I am happy. I now have 1 hour to prepare a trial reenactment, but that is comparatively low pressure.

[Cinnabar]

Glad it all went better than expected! About "Creative Visualization Meditation" , which I think is helpful in your interest, is that it teaches you to "see" yourself performing at your best.

Visualize yourself on stage, delivering an easy speech. Ha! You can trick your mind into anything! It's worked for me, saving face!

[Nakamova]

Glad it went well Aubrey! the more you do, the easier it gets, right?

[Aubrey]

The second one was kind of a disaster - it was a practice trial - I felt bad, because it was a group exercise, but it also felt like more of a learning environment, so it was okay. It was a small group with a good sense of humor, and it was almost more like a theater class than a law class.

I froze up a couple of times during the 10-minute speech as well, but afterwards, during the part where I took questions from the class - I was actually pretty relaxed - because I realized I was informed enough to answer questions, and that I actually had more than 10 minutes worth of information. I have a couple of options, either I can attempt to put myself in an area where I don't have to encounter this type of situation, or, as Nakamova says, I can just speak more often and it will get to the point where I am comfortable enough with it that I won't be crippled when the need arises.

I will look into Creative Visualization, too - I think I have heard of Shakti Gawain. I think if I encounter this kind of situation again, I need to realize that setting aside the time to calmly place one's self in the situation before it happens is a valuable use of time.

You guys are great, I think I will bookmark this thread, I sense that I may want to refer back to it again.

[Nakamova]

By the way, you have my complete admiration. I'm lousy at public speaking. Even if I'm just talking with a group of friends, if they all start paying attention to me my face gets red, and I get very self-conscious.

[Aubrey]

I really appreciate you guys a lot. You were there when I needed to hear - you can do it.

[travel bug]

So glad to hear you got through your big presentation ! Congratulations! And I'm sure you did better in your practice trial than you think you did.

Yay Aubrey