Working with Nervousness

1. Grapple with reality: watch your recorded presentation!!

Questions to ask as you watch your videodisk:

• What is my greatest strength as a speaker? • What is the weakest part of my presentation?

Why?• What, specifically, can I do to improve?

– Exercises? Practice techniques? Organizational strategies?

• What should be the result of my improvement efforts in my next talk?

Checklist for Your Reviewer

• Is the structure of the talk evident?

• Does the speaker sound enthusiastic?

• Are the visuals clear and compelling?

• Does the speaker maintain eye contact?

• Is the subject matter clear and compelling?

• Does the speaker move naturally, without fidgeting?

• Does the pace seem right?

• Can you hear every word?

• Do the speaker and the talk hold your interest?

Nervousness is normal.

• Learn to accept and work with your nervousness.

• Let it give you energy to plan the presentation.

• Let it give you energy during the talk.

• But control it!

Practicing answering questions.

• Brainstorm possible questions.• Practice answering questions as part of rehearsal

(ask a friend to help).• Practice responding to questions calmly. Don’t

assume that tough questions are hostile questions.• Q&A can be the most valuable part of the talk for you.

Don’t assume that tough questions are hostile questions.

• You’ve probably gotten someone really thinking!

• If question is long, offer to speak with questioner privately after the talk.

• If question is difficult, do not try to bluff an answer. Admit you had not “thought of [or studied] that.”

Tips for Overcoming Nervousness

• Try exercising before your talk• Avoid caffeine the day of your talk• Replace negative self-talk with positive.• Check all equipment in advance• Take a moment before speaking to get relaxed

and adjusted to your audience.• Remember, your audience wants you to

succeed!

Relax, especially just before your talk.

Consider using techniques like these:

• Deep breathing

• Positive mental imaging (similar to what sports coaches suggest) – visualize your talk as a success.

Positive Mental Imaging

More techniques:

• Word games and image games (to take your mind off yourself)

• A tip from my experience:– Talk to people on your way up to the podium.

Working with nervousness

• What are your techniques?

• Check resources on the Web:– articles from business advisors– newspapers– training materials– universities

Recommendations

• Plan your talk– Organize.– Repeat important information.

• Rehearse– Get feedback ahead of time.– Never try to wing it.

• Create visuals immediately, rehearse with them, and then change them!!

• Relax and have fun