Managing Speech Anxiety

Communications 1020Instructor: Dave Gagon

“At least 75 percent of students in public-speaking courses approach

the course with anxiety.”

James C. McCroskey, “Classroom Consequences of Communication Anxiety,” Communication Education 26 (1977)

Identify What Makes You Anxious

Lack of public-speaking experience Feeling different from members of the

audience Feeling uneasy about being the center of

attention

PUBLIC-SPEAKING ANXIETY

Lack of Experience

Some avoid making speeches Avoid anxiety Miss considerable rewards and growth

it brings

Feeling Different

Worry about personal idiosyncrasies Worry that no one would be

interested in what they have to say Believe that being different

somehow makes them inferior

Being the Center of Attention

Don’t worry about Listeners who won’t make eye contact Audience members whispering to each

other What’s wrong with ME? NOTHING

QUICK TIP

Your Own Worst Critic

If you find yourself feeling anxious about being the center of attention, remember that you see yourself more critically than an audience does. Audience members notice little about us that we don’t want to reveal, so relax and focus on delivering your message.

Pinpoint the Onset of Nervousness

Pre-preparation anxiety Preparation anxiety Pre-performance anxiety Performance anxiety

Pre-Preparation Anxiety

Reluctance to begin planning for the speech

So preoccupied with anxiety you miss vital information

Preparation Anxiety

Feel overwhelmed

Get behind on schedule

Unable to locate support material

Causes stress, procrastination and avoidance

QUICK TIP

Rehearsing Builds Confidence

Making progress on any task increases confidence. Preparing your speech in advance will lessen your nervousness considerably. Remember, just as sitting around wishing you were in better physical shape won’t firm you up, merely wishing your speech will be a success won’t make it so. To ensure a positive result, prepare the speech well in advance and rehearse it several times.

Pre-Performance Anxiety

Thinking too much about the audience

Think ideas don’t sound focused or interesting

Get nervous

Stop rehearsing

Performance Anxiety

Most pronounced during the introduction

Get control here, the rest of the speech comes more easily

Learn Specific Strategiesto Boost Your Confidence

Prepare and practice

Learn Specific Strategiesto Boost Your Confidence

Prepare and practice Modify thoughts and attitudes

Learn Specific Strategiesto Boost Your Confidence

Prepare and practice Modify thoughts and attitudes Visualize success

Learn Specific Strategiesto Boost Your Confidence

Prepare and practice Modify thoughts and attitudes Visualize success Use stress-control breathing

Learn Specific Strategiesto Boost Your Confidence

Prepare and practice Modify thoughts and attitudes Visualize success Use stress-control breathing Practice natural gestures

Learn Specific Strategiesto Boost Your Confidence

Prepare and practice Modify thoughts and attitudes Visualize success Use stress-control breathing Practice natural gestures Move as you speak

Learn Specific Strategiesto Boost Your Confidence

Prepare and practice Modify thoughts and attitudes Visualize success Use stress-control breathing Practice natural gestures Move as you speak Seek pleasure in the occasion