extrovert
fear of people
fear of public speaking
introvert
panic attacks
presentation
public speaking
shyness
Fear of Public Speaking... How to Overcome it?
By angelia286
@angelia286 (2029)
Singapore
July 29, 2008 1:25pm CST
I was an introvert from young (obviously not true now.. Lol), and I have a severe fear of meeting strangers and talking. When I was a young kid, I suffer from mild autism, and my mum always tells me now, I used to just sit in a corner, lost in my own world, and do my own stuff, with no care for others. Of course, when I grew older and started attending school, I soon ran into problems. As a kid in the kindergartens, where everyone has friends, i had none. Somehow, this never bothers me at all.
Growing up into a teenager, I soon realised that I brought this shyness into my school. When called upon to give a speech in front of my class, I would start to hyperventilate and just froze. My heart rate will increase to an insane level, and my palms would start to perspire. Soon, I would begun to feel giddy and find it difficult to breathe. Then, I would burst out crying. That was 7 years ago.
When i went into college, slowly bit by bit, with the encouragement of my coursemates, I begun learning how to talk in front of a class.. with nothing coming out of my mouth, to slight points to an entire presentation.
However, up to now, I had not conquered the fear of public speaking. And once I am up there with a lot of people in the audience, what I experienced as a teenager starts to come back, and even if I manage to throw words out of my mouth, its all jumbled and I would stutter badly. I had totally no idea of what i am talking!
I wish to overcome this fear. Is there any advice to this? There is a huge presentation that I had to do in front of 200+ people who are twice my age in 2 months time, and I do not want the above scenerio to happen right in front of them as that would be embarrassing, considering the fact that I am supposed to be the senior over there at work.
Can anybody teach me or advice me on how to overcome this fear?
3 responses
@im_tiggs (141)
• United States
30 Jul 08
My dear
Long time ago, I couldnt even ask for what I wanted in school! never mind join an organization!
One of the best things i ever did was join my local Toastmasters Organization.
They have a Speech-craft program that helps you get over the fear of public speaking in 6 weeks. It is a Crash course, and well worth the efforts that you put into it. What you must always remember, You have something worth talking about and if you just remember that then your knowledge will shine through thus enhancing your enthusiasm .
Just by asking this question, you already have taken one step towards conquwring that fear. YOU took a chance that you would feel stupid when 10 million other people are dying to ask the very same question.
Toastmaster's Organization really did help me so much more then anyone would ever believe! I also participated in Jaycee's Speak-Up program. The positive environment is one of learning, everyone is there for the same reason you are. You are given positive critiques, and you really learn to think on your feet! with the "table topic" session. The feedback is hopefully to you constructive and each meeting they choose a best speaker, best evaluator, best table topic speaker. (impromptu) All designed to help you get over that fear!
I want to brag a little but all of my efforts, I was able to go to National competiton (thus reaching my goals in Jaycees) in 1988, FOR MID YEAR - in Tulsa Oklahoma, and although I didn't win the national competition...but I was one of 50 people that had accomplished a great deal. I THEN HAD ANOTHER SUCCESS WITH SPEAKING AND GOT TO GO TO NATIONAL COMPETITION FOR YEAR END -IN RICHMOND, VA I DID NOT WIN THE NATIONAL TITLE, I was in the Top3 accomplishing way more then I ever thought I would..
THE BEST THING THAT HAPPENED THE DAY OF COMPETITON, I got word, I had a brand new nephew What a wonderful day!
Another way and something I did was to Contact the local HS and serve as a Judge for Speech Competition for the Speech/debate team. These kids were a true inspiration and they would have beat me in a competition anyday!
As the saying goes, "The sooner the better!!!" I sure do hope that you will look into Toastmaster's - and Just know that they are certainly supportive..they were all in your shoes at one time or another feeling that their shoes were on too tight! Call the Chamber of Commerce or look in the newspaper to see when they meet. Even literacy Volunteers may know the information.
YOU CAN DO IT! YOU CAN DO IT!
RIGHT BEFORE YOU GO ON AND DO A SPEECH, i was told by someone to say, I am alert, alive awake and enthusiastic.. I have something great to share and they will love it"
2. Stay upbeat
3 dont throw it together - Prepare
4 PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE
5 Give the speech to your dog, cat, In the mirror, in the car, and use a tape recorder to hear what you are saying. Play it back so you can hear how you are presenting it and remember, YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE THAT WILL KNOW IF YOU MAKE A MISTAKE, YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE THAT WILL KNOW IF YOU MAKE A MISTAKE, YOU ARE THE ONLYONE THAT WILL KNOW IF YOU MADE A MISTAKE. YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE THAT WILL KNOW IF YOU MADE A MISTAKE- SO DO NOT PANIC, WHY DID I REPEAT IT because IF you react then you give it away, and it you do not react, then know one will know!
NO ONE CAN MAKE YOU FEEL INFERIOR WITHOUT YOUR PERMISSION~~ Eleanor Roosevelt
I wish you good luck.. YOU CAN DO IT! Just keep trying.
@angelia286 (2029)
• Singapore
31 Jul 08
That's a very lovely post. =)
Thanks for all the encouragement and thanks for sharing your story with me. I will certainly give myself that motivational speech before going up on stage for the presentation.
As for the toastmaster programme, hmm, I am living in Singapore and I am not sure if we have that over where I am living. But, I will definately try that out if they have it here! It sounds good, and if it could instil in me the confidence that I sorely need, and brush up my presentation skills, I would gladly try it out anytime.
Take care! Will be updating all of you guys once my presentation is done! ^o^
@angelia286 (2029)
• Singapore
31 Jul 08
The majority of us does not like public speaking at all, but only a minority suffers from panic anxiety when in front of a large group. I happened to belong to the minority. Lol, but this panic anxiety is slowly decreasing with 5 years of presentation polishing. However, it still comes every now and then.
Thanks for your suggestion though. I would look for the books you mentioned the next time round I dropped by at the library. =)
@anita27 (90)
• India
29 Jul 08
hi angelia,
what i can say is being very practical & experienced i would like to give you some tips.i was also very introvert like you."To overcome any fear you have to face the fear",i followed this punchline.before giving any presentation be calm & composed.take a deep breathe.then while giving presentation,speak loudly & slowly stressing on each & every word you speak with prefect body language.speak loudly does not mean to shout.& in between try to take some pause of few seconds.And most important -Always have a smile on your face.
try the above & let me know & best wishes to you.
@angelia286 (2029)
• Singapore
31 Jul 08
That's certainly a cliche. Lol, but it's a good one. =D
Thanks for your suggestions. I would try it out for my upcoming presentation in 2 months time, and update you again on what happened. Hopefully, it works. If not, what do I have to lose? My dignity and face perhapes. Haha.
