What makes you apprehensive about public speaking?
I am generally a very talkative person. Although I have strong articulation skills with family and friends, I believe speaking clearly to strangers requires a completely different set of communication skills. My husband knows exactly what kind of person I am, and therefore, can understand the message I'm conveying even at times when I am not speaking coherently. I know very well, however, a random audience would not have the benefit of knowing me inside out.
In past public speaking experiences, I have learned that in order to communicate clearly one must know what it is they really mean to say. I usually practice enough to know my presentation inside out. However, even though I have created a niche for myself in the world of public speaking, I too run into some minor roadblocks when it comes to actually getting up in front of an audience. The usual sweaty-palms syndrome kicks in. I start questioning my appearance, the depth of my knowledge, and even how well the audience will respond to my speech (will they laugh at my jokes?). Because I tend to be a perfectionist I also start worrying about what will happen if I forget some important information, or if I mispronounce a word, or even (in a worst case scenario) if I blank out!
The initial anxiety of making a presentation lasts from about an hour before I speak up until the first minute or so of my presentation. And then, like fog lifting, I settle in and truly start enjoying the adrenaline-rush feeling.
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2 comments:
I too am a perfectionist. I think about every aspect of what I am doing and who I am when I give a formal presentation. I think that is natural. But, I liked when you said that one must know what it is they want to say. I do believe that being "message focused" or "audience centered" is key for delivering a great speech. If you are focused on yourself, you are going to lose some of your message. Good point there.
I have no idea what the speech is supposed to be about or where I can recieve the information about the speech. All i know is we have a speech due on Friday!! HELP please!
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