Being Nervous Before Your Speech Is Normal - Just Don"t Let It Consume You!
I was 17 years old and giving my first speech in my senior speech class.
I gripped the lectern with all my might to hide my shaking hands, and started speaking, mortified by the quaver in my voice.
Now I speak for a living.
I still get nervous before every presentation or talk, but now I use that nervousness to help pump me up.
Most people are afraid to stand up in front of a group and speak.
However, this is not an innate fear.
We learn it, usually at a young age.
Often adults will laugh at a child because they think the child is cute, but that's not how the child interprets the laughter.
They feel they are being ridiculed.
Most people don't remember a particular incident like this but they find themselves reluctant to speak, nevertheless.
Speaking phobias can also develop in middle school.
Kids are very self-conscious at this age and don't want to be embarrassed in front of their peers.
The fear of looking foolish is more powerful than the fear of getting a bad grade.
When people express their fears about public speaking the following are usually mentioned: fear of making a mistake, forgetting what to say, looking nervous, discomfort with being stared at, rejection or ridicule.
The reality is that audiences are rooting for you and want you to do well, unless of course you're a politician.
Audiences will forgive a lot.
So, we've established that almost everyone is afraid of having to stand up in front of a group and speak.
What can you do that will help you turn your fears into anticipation? Your biggest fears can probably be summed up in two words: Stage Fright.
If you have it you're in good company.
Johnny Carson, Sir Lawrence Olivier, Helen Hayes, Carly Simon and Luciano Pavarotti all suffer from stage fright.
But notice that they continue to perform and perform brilliantly.
You can as well.
How? The best and most surefire ways to decrease your nervousness and increase your confidence are to prepare your speech carefully, practice many more times than you think you need to and continue to speak whenever you have the opportunity.
Preparation,practice and performance are the only ways to get better at public speaking.
Speaker Darren LaCroix uses the phrase "Stage Time, Stage Time, Stage Time" to illustrate this point.
It's like learning a new dive.
You can watch videos, read books and listen to others talk about how to do it.
But, until you jump off the board and into the pool yourself you won't get better.
Speak at every opportunity you can.
Join Toastmasters.
It offers a simple process to develop your speaking skills over time.
Additional tips:
Good presentation skills are a great asset, at school, business, home, church- everywhere! Being able to speak well in public can lead to promotions, opportunities to meet new people and see new places and have other adventures you never could have imagined.
I gripped the lectern with all my might to hide my shaking hands, and started speaking, mortified by the quaver in my voice.
Now I speak for a living.
I still get nervous before every presentation or talk, but now I use that nervousness to help pump me up.
Most people are afraid to stand up in front of a group and speak.
However, this is not an innate fear.
We learn it, usually at a young age.
Often adults will laugh at a child because they think the child is cute, but that's not how the child interprets the laughter.
They feel they are being ridiculed.
Most people don't remember a particular incident like this but they find themselves reluctant to speak, nevertheless.
Speaking phobias can also develop in middle school.
Kids are very self-conscious at this age and don't want to be embarrassed in front of their peers.
The fear of looking foolish is more powerful than the fear of getting a bad grade.
When people express their fears about public speaking the following are usually mentioned: fear of making a mistake, forgetting what to say, looking nervous, discomfort with being stared at, rejection or ridicule.
The reality is that audiences are rooting for you and want you to do well, unless of course you're a politician.
Audiences will forgive a lot.
So, we've established that almost everyone is afraid of having to stand up in front of a group and speak.
What can you do that will help you turn your fears into anticipation? Your biggest fears can probably be summed up in two words: Stage Fright.
If you have it you're in good company.
Johnny Carson, Sir Lawrence Olivier, Helen Hayes, Carly Simon and Luciano Pavarotti all suffer from stage fright.
But notice that they continue to perform and perform brilliantly.
You can as well.
How? The best and most surefire ways to decrease your nervousness and increase your confidence are to prepare your speech carefully, practice many more times than you think you need to and continue to speak whenever you have the opportunity.
Preparation,practice and performance are the only ways to get better at public speaking.
Speaker Darren LaCroix uses the phrase "Stage Time, Stage Time, Stage Time" to illustrate this point.
It's like learning a new dive.
You can watch videos, read books and listen to others talk about how to do it.
But, until you jump off the board and into the pool yourself you won't get better.
Speak at every opportunity you can.
Join Toastmasters.
It offers a simple process to develop your speaking skills over time.
Additional tips:
- You'll often hear speakers begin with a joke.
It can be a nice icebreaker but jokes are not nearly as effective as stories.
Notice top comedians.
They normally tell a series of stories rather than one-liners.
One of the best things you can do is start a story file.
Write down stories of your own life as they come to you.
It will take awhile but once you get into the mindset you will start remembering events you haven't thought about in years.
Stories don't have to be dramatic, just a simple story can illustrate a point and make it stick with audiences. - Memorize the beginning and the end of your speech.
When you first stand up and begin to speak your nervousness will be at its peak.
If you have the beginning memorized it will give you confidence and help you get into the groove.
Nervousness usually lessens as you continue to speak.
Having the ending memorized allows you to finish strong. - Be yourself.
If you are a quiet person don't try to be Robin Williams when you speak.
You have to come across as sincere to your audience. - Take several deep breaths right before you get up to speak.
It really does help relax you.
Good presentation skills are a great asset, at school, business, home, church- everywhere! Being able to speak well in public can lead to promotions, opportunities to meet new people and see new places and have other adventures you never could have imagined.
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