Pales in comparison

[cheez]

Nathyn and Chew come to mind. *

Monday afternoon I have to give a presentation in front of the big bosses. I used to be good at public speaking but over the years I have done it less and less and now it freaks me out. During out "Dry Run" presentation 3 weeks ago I was shaking so bad my notes were useless. I was shaking so bad that I couldn't read them

A few words of encouragement and/or kind thoughts would be appreciated. I think that if I know you guys are pulling for me it might help my nerves a bit.

* Can we get an icon of an angel with wings and a halo for prayer threads?

[Javelin]

Just dont do what the presenter at my meeting for High School teachers did the other day. She tried to say something in front of the whole high school faculty, but accidentally said " today before I had sex"

[Tubby]

I don't do public speaking either. I had to go thru a class about a month ago to learn how to teach the Safeland/Safegulf safety program. I think i said "umm" 300 times in 8 minutes. Just clear your head, don't stand up there and just read your notes. Think about what you're going to say before you say it. Have a plan if you do lock up. Don't just stand in one spot, move about a little bit but don't pace. When interacting with the people, don't point directly at anyone, instead extend an open hand, it's less threatening. Don't have your hands in your pockets and don't walk around with your arms crossed. Don't fidget! Act like you're telling a hunting story around the campfire at the lease. (just skip the cuss words ) You don't have to memorize your entire speech, but it's helpful to memorize the key points and what you have to say about them. Be prepared for questions and have whatever answers you can think of ready or know what to answer. Don't ever say "I don't know". Tell them "I'll find out". Keep your chin up and take a deep breath. Best of luck to you!

[rockone8]

Hey

I don't do public speaking either. I had to go thru a class about a month ago to learn how to teach the Safeland/Safegulf safety program. I think i said "umm" 300 times in 8 minutes. Just clear your head, don't stand up there and just read your notes. Think about what you're going to say before you say it. Have a plan if you do lock up. Don't just stand in one spot, move about a little bit but don't pace. When interacting with the people, don't point directly at anyone, instead extend an open hand, it's less threatening. Don't have your hands in your pockets and don't walk around with your arms crossed. Don't fidget! Act like you're telling a hunting story around the campfire at the lease. (just skip the cuss words ) You don't have to memorize your entire speech, but it's helpful to memorize the key points and what you have to say about them. Be prepared for questions and have whatever answers you can think of ready or know what to answer. Don't ever say "I don't know". Tell them "I'll find out". Keep your chin up and take a deep breath. Best of luck to you!

The only cure is to completley know what you are going to talk about, if you need notes than you have a cruch to rely own and it will undermine your confidence. I present to Architects every week and the only way I can do it is to know my product 100% so if somebody wants to play stump the rep I can hold my own. I also set up at all of the major hunting and fishing shows so all of that public speaking helps take the edge off. Also go ahead and make good eye contact with the people you are talking to, you will be suprised how it makes you feel like you are talking more one on one to somebody.

[Mike Murphey]

Know your subject and enjoy your talking about your subject.....that is how I have always done it.....if you are unsure on what you are talking about or about what you are saying it will be harder to talk about it....

[Cajun Blake]

prayers sent Cheez


here's my .02 - write down your speech from .. intro > topics > closing ....

practice in front of a mirror and film yourself

re-watch the video and critique yourself

do this several times so you can fine tune the areas you may be weak in

get a clock with a timer to also help keep each topic to a minumum

i gave a speech one time and went off on a tangent that had nothing to do with the subject

i wasn't prepared at all and learned from my performance / experience

[Ricky T]

I zone the audience out and tell myself I'm speaking to one person, one on one.

And like Mike and Rockone said: Know your subject backwards and frontwards.

[Burnadell]

Dennis, they are probably more concerned with the contents of your presentation than with your skills in presenting it. Before the presentation, break the ice and just let them know that speaking to a group is not your strong suit, and that it makes you nervous . They should understand and hopefully will try to put you at ease. Then, don't look at them when presenting; look through them. Bet you do fine!

[Tubby]

Dennis, they are probably more concerned with the contents of your presentation than with your skills in presenting it. Before the presentation, break the ice and just let them know that speaking to a group is not your strong suit, and that it makes you nervous . They should understand and hopefully will try to put you at ease. Then, don't look at them when presenting; look through them. Bet you do fine!

or just think about whoopin their arse!

Right burnadell???

[Cam-Mac]

I've given a few sermons and spoken at some financial conferences and seminars. I get the most nervous when I don't know the topic very well. Like the guys said before, it's much better when you know your topic. I would try Cajun Blake's advice about the mirror and film, and like B Randell said, let them know that you don't do this every day, they'll understand a few mistakes and some nervousness. My biggest problem is fidgeting when I talk, so I would just encourage you to be intentional about what you are doing with your hands during your presentation, and also watch the "ums" and "uhs".

Good luck, let us know how it goes!

[djh860]

don't think about what you don't know, think about what you do know. The problem most have who are afraid of public speaking is that they think about what might be going through an observers mind as they hear you speak.
Who knows??!!??

Focus on what you do know which is what you are talking about.

[jerp]

I do quite a bit of public speaking - mostly seminars for work and church stuff. The anticipatory anxiety is the worst. Thinking about doing it is much worse than actually doing it. Once you get started you'll fall back in the old rhythm - you've done it before - and you'll do great. Go slow, get a feel for the group, then ramp it up and you'll have them leaning forward to hear your words of wisdom. If you're nervous, look at their foreheads and they will think you are making eye contact. Pause for effect when you are about to make an important point - the pauses are what draws them in. Relax, you'll do awesome!

[cheez]

or just think about whoopin their arse!

Right burnadell???

Thanks. Now I'm gonna think about that in the middle of my presentation and bust out laughing.

Thanks for the advice everyone. It is a group presentation (four of us in the group). We met this afternoon and did some practice runs. I have my script pretty well memorized so I think I will be alright if I can just control the shakes.

[Tubby]

Thanks. Now I'm gonna think about that in the middle of my presentation and bust out laughing.

Thanks for the advice everyone. It is a group presentation (four of us in the group). We met this afternoon and did some practice runs. I have my script pretty well memorized so I think I will be alright if I can just control the shakes.

If you have a tenancy of having the shakes like that. Be sure to drink a couple of pots of coffee before the presentation. (J/K)

Regardless of what you memorized, do you know the product? THAT is the main issue. As said above, make eye contact, lock in on one person, block out everyone else in the room. Then move to the next person. Stay calm and remember to keep the ball rolling. If you lock up, have an ace in the hole (or 6) to throw out there to bail yourself out. Best of luck to you. You'll do fine!

[Skinny]

Good advice up here. Know your topic very very very well and maybe find a way to break the ice at the begining of the the speech.

You will do just fine!!!! And remember that the people you are talking to are more than likely alot more afraid of giving speeches than you and they are probably happy you are up there and not them.

Good luck!!!