| Glossophobia, or the fear of public speaking is | | | | know you look good you automatically feel more |
| way up there with the fear of death. Apparently | | | | confident. |
| studies have shown that the Americans fear | | | | 4. Introduce yourself: |
| public speaking more than death, and that the | | | | A good way to ease your nervousness before |
| British fear it only second to death. | | | | going on stage to do your speech, is to introduce |
| That really doesn't surprise me. I used to be an | | | | yourself to as many of the audience as you can. |
| actor, and I remember the first time I did my | | | | Especially those sitting in the front row. While you |
| first professional soliloquy on stage, I was terrified! | | | | are doing your speech you can look at these |
| Then I remembered my training at drama school, | | | | people in the eyes just for a few seconds. Doing |
| to centre my self, and to breath in and out | | | | this will increase your rapport with the audience as |
| evenly. Every actor has nerves before going on | | | | well as making you feel more comfortable. |
| stage, but they soon learn how to get into | | | | 5. Don't just go up to the platform and start your |
| character by using certain techniques. | | | | speech: |
| If you suffer from fear of public speaking then | | | | First centre yourself on the platform by standing |
| follow the tips below they will really help you | | | | with the spine erect and shoulders relaxed. Then |
| immensely. Remember if this is your first time | | | | look to the back of the room and find a spot that |
| doing a speech then accept that you aren't going | | | | you can look at just above eye level. Look at this |
| to be as polished as a seasoned public speaker. If | | | | spot for a few seconds while breathing in through |
| you have ever seen the movie The Matrix, | | | | the nose and out through the mouth evenly. Then |
| remember where Neo tries to do a tremendous | | | | bring your eyes down so you can see all of the |
| jump between two skyscrapers and he falls | | | | audience even the ones at the side of you. Keep |
| immediately to the ground? Well nearly everyone | | | | this peripheral vision going all through your speech. |
| fails first time it's called learning what not to do. | | | | (Peripheral vision means to be able to see what's |
| You'll get better as time goes on. | | | | in front of you as well as what is at the side of |
| Some great tips to help with public speaking: | | | | you.) Using this peripheral vision technique will help |
| 1. Don't take any mood-altering substances: | | | | to keep you focused and relaxed. Remember |
| Most people believe that drinking large amounts of | | | | while you are centring yourself visualize a positive |
| caffeine, alcohol, or smoking cigarettes, or | | | | outcome. |
| marijuana before speaking will calm them down, | | | | 6. Don't memorize your speech word for word: |
| or improve their speech delivery. The thing is | | | | Just write out some bullet points of the main |
| these substances don't. They are just an | | | | ideas you need to cover. If you follow a written |
| emotional crutch. | | | | speech you'll bore people to death. Anyway a little |
| 2. Try not to eat before your speech: | | | | spontaneity will ad interest to your speech. |
| A full stomach will greatly decrease your energy | | | | 7. Turn up at least half an hour before the event: |
| level and your ability to concentrate. This is | | | | If you turn up early you can then get used to the |
| because your body is too engaged in digesting | | | | space, and the platform you will be speaking from. |
| food. Anyway you don't want to pass wind while | | | | Walk about the area you will be delivering your |
| your doing your speech! | | | | speech from. Make the space your own! |
| 3. Make sure to Look your best: | | | | Finally, there are worst thing than making a |
| Wear clothes that are appropriate to the occasion. | | | | speech I don't know what they are, but there |
| And make sure you are clean and tidy. When you | | | | are. Good luck! |