1. speaking in public dealing with presentational anxiety

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How to Handle Presentation Anxiety

Transcript of 1. speaking in public dealing with presentational anxiety

Page 1: 1. speaking in public   dealing with presentational anxiety

How to Handle

Presentation Anxiety

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Why Public Speaking is Important

Why We Tend to Avoid It

The Symptoms of Presentational Anxiety

How to Deal With The Symptoms

The Self-Coaching Approach

Getting Practice to Get It Right

Peer-coaching for Public Speakers

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The opportunity to speak in public introduces the world to us and us to the world

Gain greater knowledge of self

Higher grades

Courage to face challenges (like no other)

Promotions and advancements

Entrepreneurship opportunities

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About 85 % of the general population is afraid to stand up and be recognised/heard

o Being under scrutiny of many eyes all at once

o Doubts about voice/knowledge/appearance

o Fear of ridicule/rejection

o Prior classroom experience with peer/teacher reactions

o Notions about personality/inherent ability/trainability

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Stage fright, also known as glossophobia, is placed even before death as the greatest fear for one out of three people.

The body actually reacts as it would in any “fight or flight” situation.

Therefore, all of the instinctive physiological reactions to perceived threats come into play:

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The instinctive physiological reactions to perceived threats that impede the speaker (internal):

adrenaline/epinephrine released into the bloodstream

accelerated heart rate

an increase in blood pressure

irregular breathing patterns

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The instinctive physiological reactions to perceived threats that impede the speaker (visible):

perspiration

uncontrollable shaking/shivers

flushing of the face

dry mouth

the desire to fidget with objects

weakening of the voice (resulting in stammering/stuttering)

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The emotional impact of perceived threat or fear is what causes the physiological symptoms of stage fright to occur in the first place:

visualises the self as vulnerable

questions ability

sees all others as judgemental

engages in negative self talk

self-torments with worst-case scenario images

short-term memory loss

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For anyone who fears speaking in public, there are preparatory measures that really help:

Know your material.

thorough understanding of the topic

conveys to the audience interest and passion

immersion in the topic shifts focus from self to the subject of the presentation

restores sense of purpose/importance

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For anyone who fears speaking in public, there are preparatory measures that really help:

Prepare Outlines, Not Speeches

Avoid seeming unprepared

Full introduction for initial part of presentation

Use symbols for key points.

Write out transitional/segue sentences in full

Salient points/quotes for body

Full closure for summative purposes

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For anyone who fears speaking in public, there are preparatory measures that really help:

Use a Warm-up Audience Practise with any willing listeners who can

coach you before the presentation. Start with warm/small groups to increase

comfort level More practice/less anxiety Enough knowledge of presentation to

review flaws/strengths objectively

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For anyone who fears speaking in public, there are preparatory measures that really help:

Attend Public Speaking Events

Helps visualise and understand techniques

Observe body language, speech patterns and audience interactions of all (good and bad)

Approach the speakers if possible for tips

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For anyone who fears speaking in public, there are preparatory measures that really help:

Visualise Yourself as a Success

Ask permission to check the venue beforehand

Imagine yourself as your favourite orator

View the audience as people needing you

Practice mistakes you have observed

Nurture the positive images

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Even with thorough preparation, there are anxiety –reduction techniques that can help:

Breathe

Take long, deep breaths - hold them in for five seconds

Do neck rolls and massages to relax tight muscles

Take a walk to burn off some of the anxious energy

Breathe during your speech to help with speech pacing/concentration

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Even with thorough preparation, there are anxiety –reduction techniques that can help:

Address Each Symptom of Speech Anxiety

Excessive perspiration – dark clothing

Dry mouth – small sips of water

Nervousness – avoid caffeine/use herbal tea

Clammy hands – holding small prop for speech

Weak/quivery voice – pause, then smile

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Even with thorough preparation, there are anxiety –reduction techniques that can help:

Don't Apologize For Being Nervous

Could bring unnecessary attention to anxiety

Overcome the ‘Illusion of Transparency’

Audience will focus on the wrong thing

Commiserating audience hopes for your success

Did “W” ever apologise for being silly?

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Even with thorough preparation, there are anxiety –reduction techniques that can help:

Remember Anxiety Can Aid the ‘Fight’ Instead of the ‘Flight’ Response

Energy to perform well

Heightened awareness to sharpen focus

Adrenaline rush increases concentration levels

Facing one’s fears produce a natural high

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Short of seeking a therapist’s help, you can prepare yourself for entering the field.

Undertake your own course in addressing an audience:

reverse negative self-talk

reassure the inner child

give motivational talks to yourself in the mirror

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Once you are comfortable with your own quirks and unique qualities as a speaker:

audio/video tape yourself practising with famous speeches

view these with helpful group to discuss voice modulation/level of credibility/eye contact issues

play the tape for young children – the ‘best’ critics

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Select your partner in crime carefully, someone who will:

practice the warm receptive audience routine

go through the shadow speaker routine

help with research and positive messages

coach and massage the body/ego on the day

give presentations a fresh perspective

take this as seriously as you do

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Practice self-coaching techniques

Go through relaxation techniques

Try exercises in peer coaching and evaluation