Are you good at public speaking? Do you get nervous?

[EricNau]

I'm usually fine, but afterwards I always criticize myself for any mistakes I may make (forgetting to say something, fumbling with a word, saying "umm" too may times, etc.).

Also, it depends on the number of people, and they type of audience (older than me, younger than me, friends, acquaintances, strangers, etc.).

I voted for, "Yes, but I do feel a little nervous."

 

[siurpeeman]

i'm all right. i don't get terrified or anything, but i wouldn't go so far as to say i'm fantastic or anything.

 

[DoFoT9]

im a drummer, so naturally i love performing and making an arse of myself. i dont get nervous or anything.

except if its formal, i hate formal speaking, its just so....formal!

i like making an idiot of myself infront of people, give them a laugh. dont worry about what they think, at least youll be remembered for it, and theyll all be sheepish followers

 

[swingerofbirch]

I get a high on public speaking. I love it. Think of it this way: for the time you're speaking, you're in control of an entire group of people and the way they feel about what you're saying.

Practice is really important. Always use an outline rather than a prepared speech. Then as you're practicing you'll find you like the way you say something, and it'll come back to you when you give your final speech. You have to believe in what you're saying and you've got to be excited about it.

 

[zioxide]

Just watch a bunch of Stevenotes on Youtube and try to mimic him. Seriously, he's a great presenter and you could really learn a lot on making good presentations by watching him.


I used to get really nervous when I had to do presentations, but I had to take a class last year on public speaking and now I'm a little bit better. I still get a little anxious but nowhere near as much as before.

 

[jng]

The ones I need to improve the most in is in talking slowly. I tend to start talking, and god, I DO speak fast.
The water bottle could be a good idea to make some pauses.

And I will try to walk more, normally I try to stay in one place and I sart to sway side to side as teflon said.

That's why I try to walk around, to avoid swaying. When I teach, that's easy, moving from the projected wall to the white board, etc. If it's a lecture or speech-like setting, time it right. Give a paragraph or section. Then pause and when you're starting a new section move over to another corner or just somewhere else. By moving, you're also letting people know you're going on to something else.

Just watch a bunch of Stevenotes on Youtube and try to mimic him. Seriously, he's a great presenter and you could really learn a lot on making good presentations by watching him.

Recordings are great. That's how I know if I'm talking to fast or where I'm going to ramble.

Anyone seen the facebook CEO Zuckerberg speak? He's horrible. Not just at the stupid stuff he does at schools. But also when they introduced the new API, I thought he was an awful speaker.

 

[steamboat26]

I unfortunately can't speak confidently in front of a group larger than like 10 people, more if i know everybody. I have a tendency to rush speeches a lot, which is something i will have to work on, especially since i wanna go into business.

 

[teflon]

The reason that people talk fast and rush speeches is usually because they want to get it over with as fast as possible. I used to do that a lot. When I get up on stage, I didn't care what bad effect it's having on my speech, I just wanted to be over. To cure it, you have to calm your nerves down, and learn to enjoy public speaking. Don't let all your practice go to waste by momentary fear, and think about how much happier you would be afterwards if you didn't rush the speech and accomplished what you set out to accomplish. It's also important to think while you're talking, although that comes after you can calm your nerves and your brain isn't a rumble jumble mush. Think about what your doing and how it effects the audience. From the clarity and speed of the speech, to your postures, gestures and tone of your voice. Am I too monotoned? That might bore the audience. Does my voice sound too mumbled? The audience might not be able to understand then. Am I walking around too much or gesturing wildly? That could distract the audience. Look around the room to gauge the atmosphere. Are people bored, confused, giggling, or actually interested in my speech? Change accordingly. Feedbacks can also be helpful. Invite some friends along and let them give you their honest opinions.

 

[pdra05]

I get pretty nervous when it comes to public speaking, even if it's just speaking in front of 20 fellow classmates.. But once I start talking I tend to forget that I'm nervous.

 

[Sesshi]

It doesn't bother me, although I could think of better things to do. I've done a few symposiums and give talks to investors. If they're not snoozing at the back I'm happy.

 

[wongulous]

Nervousness is a concept we've wrapped around our bodies' natural fight vs flight mechanisms. Sure, it's not physically threatening to deliver a public statement or presentation, but it's intellectually/emotionally threatening.

Thus, the key is repetition so that you can learn what happens when you feel nervous, get used to the feeling, accept it, and then channel it into a positive vibe and stop yourself from behaviors like staring, rushing, silences, distractions, "uhs" and "ums," unusual breathing, sweating, stuttering, dropping things, etc.

Now, I say this having BEEN DEATHLY AFRAID OF PUBLIC SPEAKING! I used to do almost every single thing in that list above. Trust me--you can get over these things too--just take a class in it, and pick topics in which you are not only well-versed but passionate and brilliant about, and you'll find the confidence to embrace public speaking.

 

[Mord]

I've never had a problem with it surprisingly.