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Daniela Tempesta, LCSW(Psychotherapist)answered(3/13/2012)One thing that can be particularly useful in preparing for any nerve-wracking situations like speeches, meeting, tests, etc is to do a guided visualization prior to the event itself. This would involve closing your eyes and engaging in some deep breathing to first calm down your nervous system. I would recommend breathing in for 4 counts and breathing out for 4 counts. The next step would be to visualize yourself successfully preparing for the event itself. You want to visualize yourself walking into the situation confident and calm. Then envision yourself partaking in the activity itself seamlessly. Do this a few times before the event. Positively visualizing an event before it happens helps to soothe your nerves and build confidence. It increases the likelihood that you will actually be successful in your delivery because you already have a positive visual in your mind of your ability to do so. Using positive visualization has been helpful to many of my clients for many things including taking the GMAT, talking to a boss about a raise, or preparing for a surgery.
Stephen Snyder, MD(Sex and Relationship Expert)answered(7/18/2012)A good resource for social anxiety and performance anxiety issues is www.socialanxietysupport.com/disorder/ A beta blocker can at times be lifesaving (something like half of all philharmonic players take them before concerts to reduce jitters), as can Xanax or clonazepam. Leil Lowndes has some great techniques to reduce shyness in her book, Goodbye to Shy.
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LaceyWanswered(3/7/2012)One thing that seems small but helps me considerably is to *not* drink coffee right before hand--where as my tendency was to drink some to perk up and feel alert for the presentation, I realized it only makes me much more jittery and self-aware... it's harder to be nervous when you have more chill, low energy.
I could not agree more with this! Coffee definitely makes me more jittery/nervous.
Tayoanswered(1/25/2012)Speaking publicly is never easy for me, especially with tough, unfamiliar audiences. I find that I have to start as early as possible. Additionally, know what you want to say, even if that means writing out every single fact about every single thing you want to present about. Oh! And I always find it helpful to 'talk-it-out' to a good friend, even if informally and even if the friend has no clue about the content of your presentation.
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Anonymousanswered(2/27/2012)You can get a prescription for beta blockers and pop 1 about 10-15 minutes before your presentation. Works wonders!
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Strawberryanswered(2/21/2012)Knowing your presentation cold helps--practice makes perfect as they say. But also be prepared for audience questions afterward. That's the time I usually notice presenters get flustered. After you practice in front of friends, have them ask you surprise questions on the spot. Even if you don't have a good answer right away, keep your composure, take 30 seconds to think about something reasonable you could say, and say it with as much (faked) confidence as you can. Good luck!
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MizLizanswered(7/18/2012)I like to focus before hand on the message or content of what I'm speaking about, and take the focus off me. People are there to hear the content. I've heard that picking one person to speak to can also relieve nervousness. I'm teaching this weekend and am going to try this.
