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Feeling some nervousness before giving a speech
is natural and healthy. It shows you care about doing well. But, too much
nervousness can be detrimental. Here's how you can control your nervousness
and make effective, memorable presentations:
- Know the room. Be familiar with the place in which you will
speak. Arrive early, walk around the speaking area and practice using
the microphone and any visual aids.
- Know the audience. Greet some of the audience as they
arrive. It's easier to speak to a group of friends than to a group of
strangers.
- Know your material. If you're not familiar with your material
or are uncomfortable with it, your nervousness will increase. Practice
your speech and revise it if necessary.
- Relax. Ease tension by doing exercises.
- Visualize yourself giving your speech. Imagine yourself speaking, your voice
loud, clear, and assured. When you visualize yourself as successful,
you will be successful.
- Realize that people want you to succeed. Audiences want you to be interesting, stimulating,
informative, and entertaining. They don't want you to fail.
- Don't apologize. If you mention your
nervousness or apologize for any problems you think you have with your
speech, you may be calling the audience's attention to something they
hadn't noticed. Keep silent.
- Concentrate on the message
-- not the medium.
Focus your attention away from your own anxieties, and outwardly
toward your message and your audience. Your nervousness will
dissipate.
- Turn nervousness into positive energy. Harness your nervous energy and transform it into
vitality and enthusiasm.
- Gain experience.
Experience builds confidence, which is the key to effective speaking.
Our Toastmasters club can provide the experience you need.
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