Tuesday, September 15, 2009

How to Overcome Fear of Public Speaking

Before the Presentation :-

Three simple skills utilized prior to a speaking engagement will lower the amount of stress your child will place on the situation.

    * Visualize. Ever had someone tell you to picture the audience in their underwear? It works! How? It places the presentation in a ridiculous light, lowering the stress associated with public speaking. But if visions of boxers or briefs are too scary to consider, try these visualization techniques. See yourself in the room the presentation occurs in. Picture yourself walking to the front of the room and presenting your material. Visualize audience reaction and your success.

    * Tune in to triggers. Recognize what is stressful about the public speaking experience. Identify triggers that cause anxiety and don’t sweat the small stuff. Focus on your message.

    * Practice. It’s true. Practice makes perfect. The more comfortable you are with the material in the presentation, the lower the anxiety the day you speak. Practice in front of a mirror or ask a friend or family member to be a temporary audience.

During the Presentation
:-

You might encounter physical or non-verbal difficulties during your presentation. It is best to deal with any symptom as it occurs, but some basic speech postures will make public speaking a positive venture. Some common problems afflicting public speakers include:

    * Knocking knees
. The worst thing a speaker can do is to stand with feet together, locking the knees. Instead, assume a model pose, where weight is distributed evenly between the two feet. Stand so the heel of the right foot is close to the inside arch of the left foot. This provides balance. Plus, if you flex your knees slightly, you avoid falling over.

    * Dry mouth. Drink water before you speak, and, if possible, have a glass of water handy in case you need to moisturize a parched mouth during the talk.

      Shaking hands. If you don’t plan on gesturing and feel uncomfortable with your hands by your side, simply put them together. Depending on your message, this non-verbal cue shows the audience you are relaxed and comfortable with the situation, even if the opposite is true.
   
* Quivering voice. Breathe deeply. Smile! A smile will squelch a shaking voice and show confidence.

* Averting eyes. If you are afraid to make direct eye contact with an audience member, divert your gaze to the top of his or her head. Even though you are not making direct eye contact, it appears that you are. Another tip that will put you at ease is to scan the room while talking. Find a point to your right, middle, and left and scan to those spots during your speech.

Public speaking does not have to evoke a dreadful fear. Using these tips will help lower your fear of public speaking.

POSTED BY :-
SHWETA RANI
PGDM-3rd sem

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