Public Speaking

[Jharry5]

So, it's three days until I have to do something that goes against my very programming and give a presentation in front of a lecture theatre full of people. Needless to say, being the shy introvert that I am, the thought terrifies me. (I'm not wanting this to a whining thread, there is a point, I promise).
_

So, I just had the presentation thing earlier today.
Long story short; I passed.
I'd like to say thanks to all who have posted advice on this thread. It did help me.
So, thanks guys.

 

[Agayek]

I'm gonna have to suggest the age old method of going up on stage in your underwear. That will go great with calming everyone involved down.

 

[CIA]

When you look up, look at the back wall.

Sometimes I think about how much contempt I would have for about half the people in the room if I knew them.

 

[iggyus]

Just be yourself and be completely casual, that usually works

 

[PasDeChat]

Try doing something really relaxing before and after your presentation. It'll help keep your nerves in check. Remember to breath and conciously keep your posture relaxed, those will help you seem more at ease at least.

 

[Slash Dementia]

I can hardly speak to a person one-on-one...
Just don't pay attention. Try to block out your sight. Pretend that there's no one there. It sounds like it works.

 

[Jharry5]

I'm gonna have to suggest the age old method of going up on stage in your underwear. That will go great with calming everyone involved down.

Aren't you just supposed to imagine that? (or did The Simpsons lie to me on that?)

Try doing something really relaxing before and after your presentation. It'll help keep your nerves in check. Remember to breath and conciously keep your posture relaxed, those will help you seem more at ease at least.

And that sounds just about crazy enough to work...

 

[jim_doki]

the fuller the hall, the better. it's real REAL easy to lose your nerve by focusing on empty seats

 

[ender003]

I got nothing. Whenever I had to do a presentation or something similar in school I didn't and just took the zero. I can't deal with that crap.

Good luck!

 

[PasDeChat]

And that sounds just about crazy enough to work...

If it can keep someone with the physiological reactions of a nervous kitten calm whilst discussing with life time heroes, it should help.

 

[Agayek]

I'm gonna have to suggest the age old method of going up on stage in your underwear. That will go great with calming everyone involved down.

Aren't you just supposed to imagine that? (or did The Simpsons lie to me on that?)

Re-read my post and think about it for a bit.


For a serious reply to the topic: Just bite the bullet and do it. Nobody you're speaking to honestly cares all that much one way or the other (probably, I'm assuming this is an assigned presentation for a class), so just go with the flow. It's really not something to get too worked up about, because at the end of the day, even if you completely botch it, nobody, with the possible exception of yourself, will care.

 

[Barry93]

I've had to do so much public speaking in my life I don't find anything intimidating about it anymore.

 

[ryai458]

remember these people are here to listen to you, you hold there attention every thought is on you every word you say they absorb into there very fiber and being oh wait im not helping
ok advice hmm advice.. ahh i got be as nerveous as you want thats normal everyone in nervous but once your up there youll be fine you will be calm and have no problem

 

[elricik]

I know how you feel, I am terrified of public speaking also. I had to join a club in my freshman year of highschool, since you had to have one club credit to graduate. So I joined the debate club, one of the worst mistakes of my life. Anyway the first speeches I gave were horrible, but the more you public speak the better you get. What I did was I constantly practiced my speech before actually doing it, say the words out loud, don't just read from a paper. I also recommend your record your reading, the listen to it for yourself and see where you mispronounced or rushed words so that you can fix your speech before you present it. Being prepared makes a world of difference of whether you are relaxed or terrified.

 

[pffh]

Try to get a good friend to sit somewhere in the middle of the room. Then regulary scan the room and focus on your friend.

 

[wewontdie11]

I don't have a problem with public speaking, in spite of my preference for conversations being one-on-one rather than groups, I actually kind of relish the opportunity. I don't really know how I don't get nervous as I'm not really a nervous type of person to begin with, but I suggest some light meditation before your presentation.

Empty your mind and recite the mantra "I am a lotus flower, floating on a sea of milk." and focus on that mental image alone. Helps me when I'm about to do something that should be nerve racking or stupid.

 

[Amethyst Wind]

Well if you dwell on it it's gonna consume you and you'll be nauseated before you even get to the place. Take your mind off it for a while.

Otherwise, risque though it may be, there is definitely merit to giving yourself the old low five, take a trip to palm-dale, downtown lester brown and all that. It really does set you up for a few hours and you don't get rattled by anything.

Oh, and eat something as well, have yourself a decent size meal about 1/2 hours beforehand. Don't deprive yourself of anything, if you skip a part of your daily routine it's gonna mess you up further.

 

[zacaron]

I face a similar problem I need to make a 30 minute presentation for science class its going to be brutal