Controling my nervousness while presenting a speech?
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I am a teacher who also gets very nervous when doing a presentation or workshop in front of my peers, so try these tricks:\n\n1) Practice, practice, practice.  Rehearse in front of your family, friends, a mirror, whatever.  The more you know the material, the easier it will come.  Alot of the times you may get nervous because you are afraid you are going to screw up or look silly.  If you have what you are going to say down, that should help.  \n\n2) Before you go up, use the restroom.  On the way there, take big strides and swing your arms steadily.  Your goal here is to burn off the extra adrenaline and rthe exercise will help you relax.\n\n3) I cannot remember the proper name for this technique, but it DOES work.  Breathe in, tighten your stomach muscles, working from the top ones down to the bottom ones.  What you are doing is burning off excess adrenaline and at the same time breathing slower and deeper.  I use this one every time and it works great.  Once you have finished with the bottom muscles, exhale and repeat.\n\n4)  Relax...Breathe in slowly, hold your breath for 4 to 5 seconds, then slowly exhale.\n\n5)  Remember... that nobody sitting there is judging you.  They all understand how nerve racking it can be to speak in public.  They want you to succeed.\n\n6)  Pick one friendly, smiling face in the crowd and focus on that one person.  This doesn't mean that you don't scan the room and present to the class, but always return your focus to that one person and you will be ok.\n\nHope this helps!\n\n"There are two types of speakers: those that are nervous and those that are liars". - Mark Twain
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Dont be afraid to mean what you say. Seriously. I'm taking a speech class right now, and I fall to pieces if I let my emotions get out of hand.\n\nThat's when I have to realize that these are just people. We all make mistakes. It happens everyday. Don't be afraid to be who you are even if they think if it's the dumbest speech ever.\n\nThe pure success in giving a speech is saying it with pure CONFIDENCE. Your audience may get a different impression if you have boldness and sincereness in what you have to say.
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FIrst off, make sure the speech is something you could say off the cuff so you are comfrortable speaking on the subject.  It's hard to talk about something if you're familiar with it and could wing it if necessary. \nPractice in front of a mirror, make sure you aren't fidgeting ro making unnecessary hand gestures.  \nPractice in front of family or friends.  If  you can laugh with them while giving the speech, it'll help break up the jitters.\nTHe more you speak it out loud, the better.  In the end remember, you may think you'[re there to impress people, but in the end they're just people who were just as bervous as you at one time.\nBREATH!!!  You can do some deep breathing exercises before you go up to speak.  Try not to focus on one person, but don't sweep the room either. I've never had a problem speaking in front of people, not because i'm oujtgoing as it is, but because I jsut remember that it's just people and I'm up there doing my best.\nTHis is my experience, but the link below could help as well.
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Concentrate on what you have to say\nand not how you think you look saying it.\nPRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE.  When you\nbegin, like a pitcher on the mound,\ntake a breath, and put everything into\nthe delivery.  Think ONLY about what you\nhave to say and try to say it as sincerely\nas you can without overdoing voice or \ngestures.  Look at the audience, but only\nto convince them.  And just like a pitcher\non the mound, the more you do it, the easier\nit gets.
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Hi,\n just bury the past ,offcourse telling is easy.\n\nYou seem to get nervous at some time,it happend with me too.\n\nOne simple remedy is 1.Take deep breath and take things simple\n\nnot imagine how things to perfect be your normal self.\nNo one is perfect.\n2.To make above practical start little sessions whenever you get\n  opportunity ,like going to shop take  intiative to talk by yourself,\n  do slowly seize every opportunity,you will be suprised once you get over.\n\nBut only you have to practical and take things lightly no worry.\nIf you failed also done get disappointed,keep trying,our brain has\n\nthe tendency to react to habit  forming ,the more you develop \n\nthe more easy so shun earlier habits form new helpful things.\n\nYou can observe within a week difference
847809
"I need no introduction, so I shall conclude by saying ..."\n\nSeriously, if it is your "ice breaker" speech, I would advise you to steer clear of humour. I'm sure no one will be expecting anything fabulous. You have to work up to that. Don't try to be witty and clever with your very first speech. It might go over like a lead balloon and you will feel worse - you're already nervous as it is. Just stick to the facts.
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Start by doing it in a mirror, I know sounds silly but if you can watch your self then getting up in front of others is easy.  After that, I would go with a lot of mental stuff, try to picture the crowd, and then give your speech.  Once you really feel good about that, invite some friends and family over and do it in front of them.
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To give an effective presentation is to make sure you leave an impact with the audience. You can have all the information in your hand but if you dont present it correctly its going to end up dull and boring, right?\n\nthat was me before.. reading off pieces of paper and shaking.. then one I decided to think 'oh f*ck it im going to go out there and make a killer presentation' because really, nobody really cares what kind of speech you made 10 years later. \n\nThis is what you should do:\n- Use powerpoint if you can. When making the slides, do not put more than 3-4 dot points. Each dot point is a very short line or sentence. During your presentation you will expand on each point. Keep animations to a minimum as they are annoying. the focus is on you, not the powerpoint. \n\n- Practise Practise Practise. This helped me a lot in my preparation. Me and a friend both had presentations on the same day. So on the day before it was due, we booked a lecture room and presented each others speeches until we both memorized them without using hand notes. We probably spent 3 hours in that room criticizing each others speeches until they were perfect without mumbling or forgetting things. This was for a 7 minute presentation. \n\n- Project your voice. You will get used to it with practise\n\n- Dress appropriately. if you are a serious presenter, dress serious. If its a more casual approach, dress as such. \n\n- Audience participation - this is a tough one. people say do it, people say don't. Have the participation question ready. If people seem active then use it. If you feel the audience doesnt want to participate, then don't do it. It really depends if is a requirement or not. The best time to do this is at the beginning of a presentation where the audience is most active and engaged in your speech. you want to let them think about what you are going to talk about about - this will help them listen more into your speech. I would recommend just yes/no type questions where people put their hands up. its a little more difficult to solicit verbal responses but if you can do it, even better
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I had to do this and was terrified. This worked, and I actually relaxed enough to enjoy doing the presentation! Got compliments. So:\n\nKnow your subject inside and out. Develop a passion for it. Start really wanting to get this info you are presenting out to others--feel a need for them to know and understand it.\n\nPractice, practice, practice! To a mirror for a little while, then to everyone you know. Over and over. Eventually, you'll be so familiar with your presentation you won't feel totally dependent on your notes, you'll just roll. Take the criticisms offered by those you practice to, and use them.\n\nAfter you know your stuff inside and out, you can start concentrating on the audience, as in making eye contact, smiling, what words to emphasize. Practice all of that too. Over and over.\n\nTime each trial run if that's at issue. After a while, know within 30sec. of how long you need. That erases worries during the actual presentation of watching a clock.\n\nKnow your audience. Will there be someone there whom you know well? Who might have been one of your practice audience and knows the drill? Who might give you nods and smiles during?\n\nThat day, wear a favorite outfit that you know looks great and is comfortable. Look your best. Get there incredibly earlier than need be. Walk around the room, know where things are, begin to feel at home. If there's chitchat in the room before things start, mingle. If you're talking to a stranger about the day, if it feels right you might mention that you are a presenter, and a little new at this. Any sympathy drummed up ahead of time from the audience helps, as they sort of send warm vibes to you while you're speaking. And it helps you to feel that they are more understanding of your position. (Just don't whine.)\n\nWhen you know it all inside and out, go practice about 25 more times! Be able to do it in your sleep! Be so bored with the whole thing by the time you get there that you just want to do it, get your warm fuzzies, and move on. Just don't, after awhile, let monotony creep into your voice.\n\nGood luck! Have fun with this, it's actually an amazing growth and confidence-building exercise.I hope my suggestions help a little.
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I used to be afraid of public speaking, too, but I found that with practice and experience, I slowly overcame my fears and learned to enjoy public speaking. A few hints:\n\n1. Practice makes perfect: Practice speaking in front of a small, sympathetic crowd such as a group of friends or your family. Practice speaking extemporaneously (without a written speech) on a subject that you know well, such as personal beauty tips or a favorite activity, as well as working with a short, prepared speech using notes. Start off doing this in your own home, then start doing it in public places such as a park or office, but still just in front of friends or family. If you can get your friends to cooperate and support you emotionally, this can be quite helpful.\n\n2. Try to empathize rather than impress: Concentrate on slowing down your speech a little bit. Pick out a sympathetic face in the crowd and act like you're talking to him or her alone, then modulate your speech as if you're trying to impart some knowledge that he or she will benefit from. Try to play the role of a "caring mother" rather than a "knowledgeable professional" and you'll feel less pressure to perform to perfection.\n\n3. If you know you're going to be speaking publicly, prepare a few calming techniques to keep on hand: Bring along some lavender-scented lotion and apply it to your hands with gentle, calming strokes briefly before speaking or entering the meeting. Breathe in and out slowly while concentrating on a "mantra" or affirmative saying. Visualize yourself enjoying the company of your friends or coworkers at the lunch or party afterwards; remember that these people want to see you do well and will strive to receive your message no matter how imperfect the delivery.\n\n4. It's ok to admit you're nervous: Feel free to laugh at yourself a little and tell the crowd you're not a born public speaker. Thank them for their patience and ask them to bear with you. Acknowledging your fears to them and asking politely for their cooperation will win their sympathy and will buy you a little time to get your thoughts together. And remember, mistakes can always be corrected. If you misspeak, it's not against the rules to correct or restate something you said earlier.\n\nJust remember: public speaking is one of the most common phobias out there. Chances are good that the majority of the people you're speaking to are afraid of public speaking just like you! So don't sweat it; they understand what you're dealing with and will be more than willing to listen patiently so long as you try to handle your fears in a positive way rather than becoming negative or argumentative about it.\n\nBest of luck!
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Public Speaking Terrifying?\n\nIn our Western culture we are so much used to criticism as kids that we believe we will be treated like this for the rest of our lives. This does not have to be that way.\n\nAs public speakers we have to prepare well for the presentation. We have to adapt the topic and the content of our presentation to the interest of our audience. Our first sentence has to get their attention.\n\nHo to get their attention?\n* We have to talk loud enough to he heard.\n* Our first sentence should be a bit provocative or funny to get the attention of our audience.\n\nExample\nFor retired people we may choose a topic like "How Can You Stretch your Retirement Income to Live in Luxury?" We can assume that there are quite a few retired people who would like to learn more how this can be done.\n\nThe first sentence after the greeting then may be, "How many of you are retired? How many of you would like to have more luxury in their life? Let's see how this could be done!" We can assume that now we have the attention of most in the audience. They want to know if and how they can live with more luxury! The speaker may give descriptions of what luxury means, a hot tub at home, cruises, vacations to the grandchildren etc.\n\nPreparations\n* I find it easiest to prepare a set of images, either slides or overhead transparencies. This way one can set up the entire presentation ahead, and when one gets distracted or is nervous, the images guide to the next sentences and what to say.\n\nPreparing details\n* I also prepare a list of the images I want to present (in case someone drops the box of slides or the stack of transparencies and thus disturbs their proper order). I make a simple sketch of each image so that I know ahead what the next image is and can state some guiding sentences. I add some key words to the list with each image so that I remember what to say under all circumstances. This makes presentations really easy!\n\nBeing on time\n* The speaker must be on time, best appear before the talk starts to make sure that everything is correctly set up and helpers know what is expected of them. Nothing is worse than keeping the audience waiting!\n\n* I take care not to go over the set time for the talk. Some people have made plans for the time after the talk and may want to leave. I want to honor their plans. A punctual ending prevents a breakup atmosphere at the end of the talk.\n\nExample\nWhen a famous speaker came to a certain city, I wanted to experience her style first hand. I traveled to the city for her evening talk and found my way to the hotel of the event. A huge room was prepared for hundreds of people to show up. I was early and sat down far in front. More and more people came finding places all over the large room. Finally it was starting time, yet, the room was only filled to a forth or fifth of its capacity. No appearance of the speaker, although it was known that she was in the hotel. A long time passed, nothing, more time passed, nothing. Finally, some helpers asked everybody in the back of the room to move to the front so that two thirds of the room could be closed off. This action took some time and when this was done there was more waiting. I wondered when I would be home having a 2-3 hour drive! Finally the "gracious lady" come fluttering in, sitting on a high chair on the stage, looking down at her audience. There was no apology for the delay! Some also knew that the one she treated as her "butler" was her partner in life and father of her son. It was known that she would appear late on purpose, as to make herself more important.\n\nWhat impression does one get from a speaker like this woman? That this speaker has a lot of issues to work out and she may not be the preferred advisor for one's own life as who she liked to represent herself. Honesty and humbleness are great virtues for a Speaker.\n\nNo absolutes\n* I see the audience as my friends and have l
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good luck, power point presentations are about the most broing thing ever.  try to make your speech more exciting so you're not just reading slides.  nothing is more boring then that and people feel like you wasted their time.
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Watch what others do and copy their style.\n\nBe well briefed (so you can contribure rather than just talk).\n\nTake a strong view on issues before the meeting so you know what side youre on.\n\nAgree with others and provide support ("John makes a good point and i think..")\n\nLike presentations practice - years ago when i was real nervous about job interview and presentations I practiced in front of a mirror, years later my wife helped by acting as the audience - it was terribly cringe-worthy and i hated it but it did work (i think its called desensitised). After so many meets youre glad someone else wants to voice something so go for it. Howeber bad it gets (stumbling over words etc) its better than sitting in the corner! Enjoy \nRobert :-)
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Oh yeah, I am nervous in front of a large crowd.\nbut practice makes perfect.
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You need to take a deep breath and get your thoughts in order. Do not speak straight away, visualise your speech then start slowly. Do not rush. Also, practice in front of your friends and family or even in front of the mirror.It really helps!
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Always make good eye contact all around the room and not just at one person make it interesting in whatever your talking about be enthusiastic speak clearly and try not to show that you are nervous even if you are you could make a joke out of it this all depends on what type of speech it is and what the crowed is
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If you've been in the class for any amount of time, you should know at least SOME of the people in it.  Therefore, I suggest a combination of two previous suggestions (plus a couple extras):\n1) rehearse with a small group of people that you know watching you.\n2) before the speech, don't drink too much coffee (increases the shaking and the sweaty palms)\n3) take note of where the people you know are seated, and move your eyes from one to the next for the length of your presentation.