Anxiety Support Group
Anxiety is a physical condition marked by intense and persistent feelings of distress, fear, angst or dread. General anxiety caused by routine day-to-day stresses usually passes quickly and is experienced by almost everyone at one time or another. However, such feelings that linger over time and are very difficult to cope with, and which lack a clear cause, may indicate...
Hello,
I was wondering what all of you do when you have to speak in public? My voice gets weak and I get really nervous. I would like to overcome the fear though.
Give me suggestions please!
Thanks.
I was wondering what all of you do when you have to speak in public? My voice gets weak and I get really nervous. I would like to overcome the fear though.
Give me suggestions please!
Thanks.
I can relate to the fear of public speaking, and I think a lot of people on this board (and also on the Agoraphobia and Social Anxiety board) can as well. I know that does not make it any easier to deal with, but hopefully it helps at least a little to know you are not alone.
As a student, I have had to give quite a few presentations and it is never easy, but I can offer a few things that help me.
The first bit of advice I can give is to, if you have the choice (which I know is probably not often the case) to speak about something you feel passionately about. I find it much easier to talk when I am interested and feel strongly in the topic on which I am speaking.
My second tip is to practice, practice, and practice some more. Feeling well-prepared boosts your confidence and gives you one less thing to worry about. I recommend writing out your talk, then boiling it down to a few notes on notecards. Then, practice giving your speech out loud, in front of other people, if possible. The more you practice, the easier it will become. When you practice, also practice pacing yourself. It is common to want to speed up your talking when you are nervous.
I recommend that you don't try to memorize your speech word for word, but to know the main topics/points you want to hit. If you can, have those points on a piece of paper or notecard with you when you go to give the speech (though if you've practiced a lot, you likely won't even need to look at them). But it helps knowing that just in case you lose your place, you have a little reminder up there with you.
Before your speech, try to do something to relax yourself - take a brisk walk, listen to some music, meditate, deep breathing, drink some tea. Whatever works for you. Also, give yourself a bit of compassion. You are doing something that scares you, but you are doing it anyway - that takes a lot of strength. And no matter what happens, you'll be ok. As long as you give it your best effort, that's all you can ever ask of yourself.
Best of luck - I am sure you will do great.