Tips for keeping nerves at bay
OK, I know this is going to sound a little odd: Don't worry about being worried. A degree of nervousness is natural; it shows you care about doing well. But the following tips will keep your nerves from taking over and help you take control.
Firstly, know the room. Arrive early, walk around the speaking area and practice using the microphone and visual aids. Gaining familiarity with your surroundings will make you feel you belong there.
Know the audience. Greet some of the first-comers as they arrive so that you are not talking to a roomful of complete strangers.
Know your material. Practice your speech and revise it until you are comfortable with it. If you are not familiar with its content, or think you may have to field questions you won't know the answer to, you have an automatic recipe for nerves.
Try to physically relax. Do some gentle exercises to ease any tension. While you're speaking, do remember to breathe, and don't be afraid to pause if you need to catch your breath. Slow down, and you'll regain some control.
Visualise a successful speech. Imagine yourself talking in a loud, assured, clear voice. And remember that your audience doesn't want you to fail. They're on your side, and want you to be interesting, stimulating, informative and entertaining.
Don't make the classic mistake of apologising for your nerves. It's possible nobody else will have noticed and you'll only draw attention to any problems you think you have.
Concentrate on your message, and enjoy it. It's the most important thing about your speech, not your own anxieties. So focus your attention out to your audience, not inwards to your thumping heart and damp palms! After all, nervousness is energy and it is possible to transform it into enthusiasm and vitality.
Find an open, friendly face in the audience. They'll make you feel more relaxed and positive. If you smile at them, it will come across in your words. Make eye contact with all corners of the room, and keep coming back to your friendly face. With luck, there'll be more than one. If you spot someone who appears not to be enjoying your talk, smile at them as well. You might just turn them.
Begin at the beginning, find a middle and make an end, even if your speech is only a minute long.
Practice and gain as much experience of public speaking as you can. A Toastmasters Club is a great place to start, as you are broken in gently and can go at your own pace, whilst hearing speeches from inspirational speakers and seasoned professionals.
You can find your local club online. The mission of a Toastmasters Club is to provide a mutually supportive and positive learning environment in which every member has the opportunity to develop communication and leadership skills, which in turn fosters self- confidence and personal growth.
So you may find that your reticence of speech-making flowers into a whole new, super-confident you.
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