Do it. Remember the parting quote from Friday's Expedition post: "If the risk is not taken, the meaning of life is somehow violated, and the whole future is condemned to hopeless staleness, to a drab grey." —Carl Jung
Tip: Remember that the audience knows less about what you are saying than you (otherwise, why would they be listening to you). You may notice a mistake or misstatement, but it’s unlikely that your audience will. Confidently push through the error and no one will know the difference.
That's a fantastic point. In some of my early talks, I'd come home and say "I forgot to say (insert point)" and Leah would reply "well, the audience doesn't know that."
I have found that preparation goes a long way with calming the nerves and boosting confidence. Likewise establishing engagement with the audience, if possible, to 'share the spotlight'. And if you get stumped then serve kudos to the questioner and promise to share out a response however appropriate.
I've been active in a club for over 6 years now and it's pure joy being a part of a club that gets people out of their comfort zone.
I've pushed the comfort crises on my friends and enjoy seeing how once someone embraces discomfort in one area, it becomes easier to do in other areas.
I gave my first speech in business (not counting High Scool book reports) to give an award to a group of older women. I was nervous, but got through it. I gave many speeches during my drinking career (cut short by reality!), which probably were awful. Since then, being in the insurance business for 40 years, I have given many speeches before employer groups,up to 100 employees. I studied my material, made notes and tried to remember that I was the SME, so if I made a.mistake it usually would go unnoticed, except by me.
Some advice and sayings that helped me:
my first insurance manager taught me that it was okay not to know all the answers but don't BS people. If a question arose I didn't know the answer, my response was " I don't know, but I will find out and get back to you"
Speaking at AA meetings is sort of like Toastmasters for drunks, you have hecklers, interested parties and everyone in between-exposure therapy.
My favorite quote is "anxious speakers have butterflies, but confident speakers still have butterflies but they fly in formation!"
Pick one person at a time in the audience to speak to as if having a one on one with them, changing people occasionally.
Imagine everyone in the audience just wearing their underwear instead of business uniform. It'll make you smile!
The timing of this article is fortuitous!
I was suggested to take the role of MC for rather large public event.
My initial response was "oh hell no" of something like that with a few more expletives 😂
Then I actually started considering doing it.
Growth occurs outside of your comfort zone right?!?
Do it. Remember the parting quote from Friday's Expedition post: "If the risk is not taken, the meaning of life is somehow violated, and the whole future is condemned to hopeless staleness, to a drab grey." —Carl Jung
Tip: Remember that the audience knows less about what you are saying than you (otherwise, why would they be listening to you). You may notice a mistake or misstatement, but it’s unlikely that your audience will. Confidently push through the error and no one will know the difference.
That's a fantastic point. In some of my early talks, I'd come home and say "I forgot to say (insert point)" and Leah would reply "well, the audience doesn't know that."
Related to practice, find more low stakes environments to get in the public speaking reps, so that you can really excel when and where it matters!
I have found that preparation goes a long way with calming the nerves and boosting confidence. Likewise establishing engagement with the audience, if possible, to 'share the spotlight'. And if you get stumped then serve kudos to the questioner and promise to share out a response however appropriate.
I'm a strong advocate for Toastmasters.
I've been active in a club for over 6 years now and it's pure joy being a part of a club that gets people out of their comfort zone.
I've pushed the comfort crises on my friends and enjoy seeing how once someone embraces discomfort in one area, it becomes easier to do in other areas.
Glad to hear you talk on this!
I gave my first speech in business (not counting High Scool book reports) to give an award to a group of older women. I was nervous, but got through it. I gave many speeches during my drinking career (cut short by reality!), which probably were awful. Since then, being in the insurance business for 40 years, I have given many speeches before employer groups,up to 100 employees. I studied my material, made notes and tried to remember that I was the SME, so if I made a.mistake it usually would go unnoticed, except by me.
Some advice and sayings that helped me:
my first insurance manager taught me that it was okay not to know all the answers but don't BS people. If a question arose I didn't know the answer, my response was " I don't know, but I will find out and get back to you"
Speaking at AA meetings is sort of like Toastmasters for drunks, you have hecklers, interested parties and everyone in between-exposure therapy.
My favorite quote is "anxious speakers have butterflies, but confident speakers still have butterflies but they fly in formation!"
Pick one person at a time in the audience to speak to as if having a one on one with them, changing people occasionally.
Imagine everyone in the audience just wearing their underwear instead of business uniform. It'll make you smile!
Nuff said!
Hi, Soumaya, I checked my inbox and don't have any messages from you.