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The Most
Commonly Asked Questions- What every person wants to know but is
afraid to ask
How can I deal with my speech anxiety?
Expect to feel this way. In
fact, welcome the body’s reactions to the adrenaline rush, that
surge of powerful energy emitted into the body by the brain.
Why? The brain perceives an upcoming challenge and injects the
adrenaline into body systems for strength and extra energy
needed to meet this challenge.
How you choose to look at the
impact of adrenaline rush will help or hinder you and your state
of being.
CONVERT : ‘I’m nervous’ to I am
ready and going for it
‘I’m shaking like a leaf’ to
‘my body is filled with adrenaline, strength, power. Watch out.’
‘I’m going to forget
everything’ to ‘I prepared and will do the best I can do’
‘I’m going to make a fool of
myself’ to ‘I have always done my best and have always came out
looking like a winner.’
Be your own best support while
you are waiting to present. Remember: experience as a speaker as
well as conscientious preparation will help you to convert
speech anxiety to speech enthusiasm.
Why
do I hate to speak in front of people? I’d rather die than do
this.
Most likely you have not been trained or coached in public
speaking. Experienced speakers will tell you that there is
nothing like having a group of listeners attending to you at the
edge of their seats. In fact, most people enjoy themselves once
they permit themselves to make presentations. Experience,
conscientious planning and preparation , and a willingness to
grow will help you to achieve the kind of success you deserve as
a presenter to groups of people.
Should I get the audience's attention with a joke?
The popular notion that one
must open with joke-telling presents a big challenge to most
people. Timing, good taste, and the perfect delivery are
necessary to create a humorous moment. Handle the inclusion of
humor (and only when it is appropriate) with great care.
Humor may come from a proverb,
a wise crack, a pun, a statement or reference you make, or even
an impromptu reaction. Work on creating an encyclopedia of
humorous sources by maintaining a humor contact management file.
Remember: To your own self be
true and faithful. If you have any doubts or discomfort about
being forced to make a humorous opening, do not do it. A
natural, conversational beginning straight from your heart will
bypass any fake attempt at being funny.
What should I never do when giving a speech presentation?
NEVER
introduce yourself. Always engage the services of another person
to introduce you to the audience.
NEVER
insult the audience by telling or even intimating to listeners
they are in the wrong . (Avoid the kind of statements that sound
like: ‘you should have..’ ‘no, that’s not…’)
NEVER
show that you are nervous, caught off guard, on the defense.
NEVER
leave the stage without answering questions once you or someone
else asked: ‘are there any questions‘- after you finished. If
needed, you ask yourself a question by saying: I expected that
someone would’ve asked me this……" OR If I were you listening to
me I would want to know….."
NEVER
come unprepared to speak or talk off the cuff or try to wing it.
Every time you are asked to speak or are expected to speak, it
becomes a formal level of commitment. Therefore, prepare –
prepare – prepare.
Always be prepared to speak.
Always assume that you will be asked to speak.
Remember who you are and what
you represent.
NEVER
come across as someone who generalizes or as someone who leaves
no room for exceptions. Avoid such negative thought provoking
expressions as: nobody, no one, obviously, you should know, you
should have done……
NEVER
simply go through the motions of putting your ideas together.
This is not speech-planning. Go through the steps of: setting a
reason for speaking (to inform, persuade, inspire, entertain,
etc.) and then communicating two to three key (main) points,
then developing these points, planning your introductory remarks
(not just hoping the ideas will come when you are standing in
front of your audience) and closing remarks.
NEVER
practice your speech sitting down if you will be standing for
the presentation or standing if you will be sitting for the
presentation or mumbling if you will be speaking aloud. Always
dress rehearse your speech. NEVER make the actual speech the
first time you heard yourself speak out loud.
NEVER
practice your speech without timing it (to fit into the time
limits.)
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