Delivering a speech!!!

[yalla22]

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I have to give a talk in a few weeks and I'm scared out of my mind. I have a lot of good ideas and am relatively eloquent..but I know I'll be so nervous giving it, that I wouldn't be able to present myself as well as I potentially could.
I've never done this in my life and would really appreciate some tips!!
Also are there any drugs (im being serious) that I can take right before to calm me down w/o making me spaced out?

 

[Gleevec]

Originally posted by yalla22
I have to give a talk in a few weeks and I'm scared out of my mind. I have a lot of good ideas and am relatively eloquent..but I know I'll be so nervous giving it, that I wouldn't be able to present myself as well as I potentially could.
I've never done this in my life and would really appreciate some tips!!
Also are there any drugs (im being serious) that I can take right before to calm me down w/o making me spaced out?

You dont want to take drugs.

Just memorize the beginning 1-2 minutes of the speech (and practice the rest), and then once you have that down you will have confidence for the rest of your presentation.

 

[ice_23]

Yep, I agree. I'd also recommend memorizing some of the end too, because ppl always seem to think that if you finish really eloquently, all of your speech went well (i think it must have something to do with remembering the last thing we see...i dunno 🙂).

Can u bring something up with you (like an outline or notecard)? If you can and want to use it, do it, but make sure you practice with it enough and simulate the experience as many times as possible. Pretty soon the words'll come out eloquently without you even thinking about it.

Good luck!

-Ice

 

[Rendar5]

you'll probably be surprised, but once you start giving it nervousness will be the last thing on your mind. concentrate on talking to everyone in the audience instead of on how you're performing. And don't be scared of making any mistakes. I'm not sure what else to tell you. I've done this so many times I kind of forget how I managed to get through it the first few times.

 

[yalla22]

no its beyond that. the problem is that when i get nervous about giving a talk my heart races and that makes me more nervous. If this didn't happen, it would solve so many problems im having right now.

 

[Rendar5]

yeah, it would solve them, but then I'm not sure if you'd still be human.

 

[Gleevec]

Originally posted by yalla22
no its beyond that. the problem is that when i get nervous about giving a talk my heart races and that makes me more nervous. If this didn't happen, it would solve so many problems im having right now.

That is natural the first couple times, and it will get better as time passes. The last thing you want to do is medicate yourself, because that will require you to medicate yourself for future presentations as well.

Whatever does not kill you makes you stronger, and I think with good preparation, you wont need any drugs and you will be a fantastic presenter in the future.

 

[thackl]

Memorized discussions never sound right. You can tell every word is memorized and if you get off track just a little, it can be tough to get back on. Make sure you have all your points down (even on a cheat card if needed) and make sure you really understand them. Only memorize phrases/words if they really impact the meaning of what you want to get across. My $0.02

 

[Gleevec]

Originally posted by thackl
Memorized discussions never sound right. You can tell every word is memorized and if you get off track just a little, it can be tough to get back on. Make sure you have all your points down (even on a cheat card if needed) and make sure you really understand them. Only memorize phrases/words if they really impact the meaning of what you want to get across. My $0.02

That's a good point for more experienced speakers, but to start out with, memorization helps soothe nerves. Then, we can worry about this.

 

[rgporter]

"Studies show that fear of public speaking ranks higher than the fear of dying. I guess this means that most people at a funeral would rather be in the coffin than delivering the eulogy..."
Jerry Seinfeld

I know it's really scary to speak in public, but it will get better as soon as you start. Just memorize the first little bit, and have a good outline for the rest. Oh yeah, and practice beforehand. Pretend like your in front of the audience and go through the whole speach.

 

[ice_23]

Originally posted by thackl
Memorized discussions never sound right. You can tell every word is memorized and if you get off track just a little, it can be tough to get back on. Make sure you have all your points down (even on a cheat card if needed) and make sure you really understand them. Only memorize phrases/words if they really impact the meaning of what you want to get across. My $0.02

That's sometimes true, but if you deliver it well, then it sounds awesome. That's exactly what actors do...

-Ice

 

[allmightylong]

I don't know if this is just me but I feel so silly praciticing out loud without anyone around. Then when there's someone actually watching me, my mind go blank. I would babble and leave a pool of nervous sweat under my feets

 

[Heal&Teach]

Yalla,

I truly empathize with you. When I'm good, I'm really good. But when I bomb, I truly bomb. But we are our own worst critics.

I'm doing a fellowship and I've had to do several presentations. One was to deliver the opening address at a conference on behalf of my entire agency! I had the thing memorized to a T, with the proper voice inflections and all. I then got up there and read most of the talk b/c I was so nervous. It was well received, but I felt so weird being the only one that read from my notes as everyone else pretty much winged it (chalk it up to experience).

I also did a presentation on MRSA at a national conference to a lay audience (my first presentation at a national conference), and my supervisor kept reminding me to be fluid and not so rehearsed (as many presenters are). So, as many folks have mentioned here, I memorized some key points, kept talking to myself in the mirror, in the bathroom, whenever I had some downtime. I had serious butterflies right before the talk, shaking almost uncontrollably, but after about a minute of stumbling, I was okay. In fact, I was surprised when I got the two minute mark and had to speed through the rest of my talk (always be prepared to shorten your talk to cover main points if you run out of time).

On a less happy note, I did a community presentation and totally bombed, just lost everything. Ended up apologizing to the audience several times for things not coming out right. And that my friend pretty much blasted my credibility with more than half of the audience. It sucked. The few people who came up and said, I understand what you said, even though you couldn't get it to come out right, well, didn't make me feel too much better.

I did finally get the nerve up to join Toastmasters. No matter how corny it sounds, it has helped me tremendously. No, I'm not perfect now, and nor will I ever be (esp. since the above situations have all happened within the time frame I've been a member of this organization), but it helps to be able to present and get constructive feedback from a friendly audience. It might help you in the future to sit in on a couple of meetings and determine whether or not it would be helpful for you (I personally think that even the best speakers could find some benefit from TM). If you're interested and want to find a club near you, see http://www.toastmasters.org. And I'm not only a member, but I'm also the Vice President for Education. 🙂

Also, drugs are no good. I would consider laying off of caffeine and sugar for about two days prior to your talk (although it seems to be the case that we load up on these things, esp. when nervous - and they aggravate our nerves). Also, the morning of your talk, get up and get some exercise. You'll get increased blood flow to your brain, and you'll be less jittery. You can also try a soundproof room immediately before your talk - just go in and yell or sing really loudly for a few minutes. You'll get all the tension off your chest, and if you've still got a voice, you'll have an excellent presentation.

Hope this helps. You'll do very well, I know it. PLease let us know how the talk goes. Best of luck.

Take care,
H&T

EDIT: My bad so long.

 

[ForensicPath]

I actually have to give a 30 minute presentation tomorrow. I always know exactly what I want to say, but whenever I get in front of an audience I sound like I am ******ed. My problem is that I focus too much on the fact that I am giving a speech instead of actually focusing on what I want to say. The first couple of minutes of a speech are by far the most difficult, but once you are in a groove it can flow out easily. The best speech I have ever given was after I took a shot of whiskey beforehand. Not enough to be drunk or buzzed, but enough to calm my nerves. I don't necessarily recommend you doing this, but it did work for me (I only did it once).

Also, if you can use powerpoint or something, I would recommend it. Not only is this good for the audience, but it can act as notecards for your speech.

 

[Rendar5]

oh yeah,don't memorize if it makes it sound stiff or forced. Memorize maybe an opening and a closing, and maybe a few key transitions. It doesn't matter if you stray from what you planned to say as long as you explain the general ideas. And practice giving the speech (I prefer to think of it as a talk) to someone you know beforehand. They can tell you where it didn't go well and where it did.

 

[spumoni620]

jot down key points on index cards. when you get up there, you will be nervous; there's no getting around that (pills or otherwise). but that's actually a good thing, b/c you will be alert and the adrenalin will help you think on your feet. the first few sentences are going to be the hardest. this is when your knees are still wobbly and your voice is shaky and about to crack. it's essential that you have the first paragraph of the speech down as second nature, but don't count on memorizing it (it's possible you'll forget in the nick of the moment, and what then?). instead, look to your index cards (and on the cards just jot down keywords that will jog your memory) when you're drawing a blank and it WILL definitely come back to you (provided you've been practicing and have most of it memorized). as you progress through the speech, you'll regain your confidence and it will become easier. the key is practicing many times (since this is your first speech, i'm assuming?) so it's second nature when you're actually up there.

good luck!

 

[yalla22]

Originally posted by ForensicPath
I actually have to give a 30 minute presentation tomorrow. I always know exactly what I want to say, but whenever I get in front of an audience I sound like I am ******ed. My problem is that I focus too much on the fact that I am giving a speech instead of actually focusing on what I want to say. The first couple of minutes of a speech are by far the most difficult, but once you are in a groove it can flow out easily. The best speech I have ever given was after I took a shot of whiskey beforehand. Not enough to be drunk or buzzed, but enough to calm my nerves. I don't necessarily recommend you doing this, but it did work for me (I only did it once).

Also, if you can use powerpoint or something, I would recommend it. Not only is this good for the audience, but it can act as notecards for your speech.

whiskey?? huh. maybe ill do that. The talk is overseas so it'll be harder to do that. it also may be risky..

 

[yalla22]

I mean how different did you feel after the alcohol giving the speech? did it really calm you down in respect to the times you didnt drink??

 

[DrBodacious]

Drugs are not a good way to go. Calm nerves with public speaking don't come naturally for most people, they come with practice and confidence. As Gleevac said, you don't want to make presentation drugs a habit. If you are nervous and flub up, people will understand.

Practice is good because you are less likely to realize you forgot something in mid speach and freeze. However, for me, memorization can be detrimental because I invariably forget one line and I realize it... and freeze... And then I resort to reading as Heal&Teach described in his post (which I agree with except that weight lifting tends to make me more jittery).

My advice is to really get to know the material and to practice the topics you want to discuss. Practice talking outloud about the material using notes as cues. Even better, practice speaking to someone else like a friend, even better than that a professor or other superior who knows what you're talking about. Then come presentation time just be confident, don't worry about how others percieve you. If you turn it into a learning experience it will be easier, and you cannot fail!

Presenting is really an art. Some people are naturals, but often CEOs, university adminstrators and the like hire coaches to help them really nail an important speech (I know this for a fact). You don't need to be intimidated by this but it just goes to show that if you have the content in your presentation you should be fine. And who knows you might be a natural!

Also, if you screw up during your presentation, don't apoligize and say "Oh, this is my first time speaking..." That defeats some of the nerve-calming practice. If you misspoke or something, correct what your said to make your presentation content correct and move on.

 

[ForensicPath]

Originally posted by yalla22
I mean how different did you feel after the alcohol giving the speech? did it really calm you down in respect to the times you didnt drink??

It basically quieted the butterflies in my stomach a little bit and made me feel a little less jittery. It definitely was not enough (1 shot) to completely remove my inhibitions being that I am 6'3" 190lb male. So it wasn't like I was up there slurring and falling down, which would have been somewhat humorous. I actually had a teacher that told me he used to have a drink of scotch with lunch whenever he had a big talk to give.

My other recommendation: have water on hand!! I tend to get cottonmouth, which definitely can interfere with your speaking ability. There is nothing wrong with taking a sip of water during your talk, and it may even help you to slow down and control your racing thoughts.

 

[snapdad]

Just a quick chime-in....

I've had a MAJOR phobia of public speaking my whole life, to the point where in undergrad, I'd actually avoid taking a class where I knew there'd be a speech in the hopes that a different prof would teach it the following semester. But...I just graduated from a master's program where public speaking was a major focus. I didn't get through one semester where I didn't have to give at least two or three presentations. The first two sucked...they were stiff and awkward, and I spent the entire time looking at the powerpoints on the screen rather than at the audience. By the end, though, although I still got nervous, I got pretty polished in my delivery. It's a practice thing, and it's never as bad as the brain builds it up to be beforehand. Even if you make a mistake, it's all good...just own up to it and keep going. Don't take drugs...if you do, as someone else pointed out, you'll need 'em every time.

 

[jlee9531]

if you want....you can practice in front of us.....

maybe you can set up a webcast in a chatroom and we can interact actively with you....

of course i know not how to do this....haha

oh about the taking a shot of whiskey....

i did that before my ochem exams...it started off as a dare my friend gave...a shot of goldshalgger (cant spell) and i dont recall exactly how i felt but i did well on the exam....and just as a funny ritual id just take a shot before each of the other ochem exams...

but after saying all that.....id advise against it haha. you are doing a speech and thats much different....the smell can linger...people can come up to you afterwards and might smell something etc...

but yeah...just do some trial runs in front of people....not parents tho....and hopefully that can help some....

 

[emanresu]

Yalla22,

I understand. Before my thesis presentation, I actually vomited; I did, however, get through it very well.

The point I'm trying to make is: if you know your ****, try not to worry. Once you get warmed up, there's no stopping you.

Now for the stuff which many will disagree:
DON'T MEMORIZE ANYTHING! If you have a commanding knowledge of what you're talking about, then you'll do fine, otherwise you shouldn't be speaking on the subject.

And since you asked: if you feel you must self-medicate, Benadryl is probably the best OTC drug - it has worked for me. (I am a medical student - NOT a physician, so don't take my advice seriously). If you take Benadryl and physically or professionally injure yourself, don't blame me. I eagerly await a public stoning for this

Break a leg.

 

[freesolo]

maybe try taking a speech class? That really helped me, I'd do the same thing get up there heart races, i forget everything i want to say, begin to just read, forget to even look up. Speech helped 😀, the grade might hurt ya though depending on the professor. It get ezier as you do more.

 

[twinklz]

Just as a basic public speaking tip, don't lock your knees. For some reason it can make you pass out.

Also don't rock from side to side or play with your hair/jewelry/clothes. These make you look nervous and detract from what you're saying.

Good luck!

 

[yalla22]

pass out?? Great...

 

[Tbonez]

A long time ago, I tried taking 75mg Bendaryl prior to a speech, as it is occasionally prescribed for mild anxiety. All it really did was keep the thoughts from coming as readily, so it was actually more difficult. I would not recommend it to anyone. Instead, realize that the more you work on your communication skills, the better your public speaking, interviewing, etc. experiences will be for you. My 0.02.

 

[MeowMix]

I've been giving talks for 20 years, and have taught a lot of people to give better ones, so I would like to share a few things.

First, everyone gets better over time. Everyone in the room has been in your shoes at some point. Do your best; they understand. As long as you are well prepared for the material, they will forgive imperfections in style.

Very important: VISUALIZE yourself giving a great talk. People always think this is a weenie touchy-feely idea, but the truth is that you are already imagining yourself giving a bad talk. Instead of that, imagine the whole thing, start to finish, ending with thunderous applause and important people coming up to tell you how great it was. Do this when you wake up in the morning, when you go to bed at night, every day.

The tips about index cards etc. are right on. When you are learning to give talks, you need a reminder of exactly what you want to say for each slide (I assume you are using some kind of visual aids). Don't deviate from that, or you will ramble or get into things you don't want to discuss, and run over time. Even now, although I don't use notes, I know exactly what I need to highlight, and what I want to avoid saying, for every slide.

Memorizing what you want to say for the first minute is fine, if you have to. That gives you a nice solid opening. Again, remember, they want you to give a good talk, because they will enjoy it more. No one wants you to do badly.

Practice, practice, practice (out loud). The dog or cat is a great audience. Get your timing down exactly. Do not ever go over time. Even now, I will run through an hour-long talk at least twice with my final slides.

No more than 1 slide per minute ABSOLUTE MAX, unless you are just showing photos (not graphs). I use about 10 slides for a 15-minute talk, including title slide and acknowledgements. Eliminate or combine slides if necessary.

 

[RedHeadKiddo]

Originally posted by yalla22
I have to give a talk in a few weeks and I'm scared out of my mind. I have a lot of good ideas and am relatively eloquent..but I know I'll be so nervous giving it, that I wouldn't be able to present myself as well as I potentially could.
I've never done this in my life and would really appreciate some tips!!
Also are there any drugs (im being serious) that I can take right before to calm me down w/o making me spaced out?

I recommend taking drugs! Seriously. In the past, no matter how much I prepare whenever I get in front of a group I freak out. My palms get sweaty, my voice shakes, my face and neck turn red. I am completely uncomfortable and it is uncomfortable for the group to whom I am presenting. I have used a beta blocker (all I need is 10mgs)...it prevents your heart from racing and calms you down BIG time. You can get a prescription from your primary care physician. It is a common off label use of the drug. I only wish I knew about them sooner!

You still have to prepare like crazy to do well, but you can totally make a solid impression despite your body's natural nervous reaction.

Good Luck!

 

[premedi-kid]

I just took intro to public speaking, so pm me if you need hints.

Also, practicing makes perfect, so don't listen to anyone else who says otherwise.

Trust me, I had the HUGEST fear of public speaking prior to taking my public speaking course, and now I feel more confidant about it than ever.

Good luck.

 

[hmno82]

Keep telling yourself that you're the best public speaker in the world! Confidence, or lack there of, will stick out. Once I made a presentation to the President of my college, and I seriously felt like I was in a cartoon with my knees knocking into each other as I stood at the podium. I took a breath before I spoke, and thought to myself "I'm the best, I'm the best." It totally got me through (even though I was freaking out beforehand). If you force yourself to think this way you'll do well.