Yikes!
I have to give a training presentation next week.
I am the world's worst public speaker. I'm one of those people who get up in front of an audience and every other sound out of my mouth is, "uh" or "um". There are also periods of long silence while my brain tries frantically to find the word I need (which it never does, and I'm left trying to explain the word I'm thinking of - never a good feeling). Not to mention the sweat, and the terrible trembling in my voice that I cannot hide.
We had a dry run through it yesterday, with only my boss, Accounting's boss, and the Accounting Lead analyst. Just in front of those people, I stank.
Any suggestions? The training is Tuesday the 16th.
I am the world's worst public speaker. I'm one of those people who get up in front of an audience and every other sound out of my mouth is, "uh" or "um". There are also periods of long silence while my brain tries frantically to find the word I need (which it never does, and I'm left trying to explain the word I'm thinking of - never a good feeling). Not to mention the sweat, and the terrible trembling in my voice that I cannot hide.
We had a dry run through it yesterday, with only my boss, Accounting's boss, and the Accounting Lead analyst. Just in front of those people, I stank.
Any suggestions? The training is Tuesday the 16th.
posted by Callie | 10/11/2007 07:36:00 AM
16 Comments:
I understand where you're coming from. I actually used to think that I was fine giving presentations in front of people, but lately it's like I'm more self-conscious or something and I also have a shakey voice and get really nervous.
The only thing that works for me is continually telling myself that I'm just talking to people like I would in a normal group conversation. Just because I'm talking more than the others, I know if I was talking to a group I'd be fine. It's the term "presentation" that freaks us out more.
I don't really have great advice, LOL. But good luck, I know you'll do well! :-)
just think...
those ppl are stupid.
and you're not.
just pretend they're not there...
and you're talking to yourself.
and if there's any consolation,
those ppl don't wanna be sitting there for a presentation either.
hee...
trix. :)
Yeah, both of you have very good points. I know I despise training. It's boring, and I'd rather be doing my work.
I think I'll make it through alive. I just need to remain calm.
I'm thinking tequila shots beforehand. Sound good????
*snicker*
I had seminary professor who was an “uh” speaker. She overcame it by practicing taking short breaths to replace the “uhs.” It worked fine.
Tequila sounds like the perfect solution.
In fact, why not set up the conference room with some salt shakers and lemon slices, and provide a good time for all? Then they won't remember how good or bad your presentation was!
Just picture your Blogger Buds as the audience and you want to teach us...We are your friends and we need your help in this area...Won't you help...
I saw your link on the side of Missing Nonny's blog.
Key words on index cards. Don't try to write out the whole speech.
When I used to get nervous with big presentations, I found it helpful to just look towards the last person in the far right & then to the far left without actually making eye contact. Generally, as your head moves back and forth after checking your index cards it will look like you're making eye contact with everyone in the room.
Also, I used to right "SLOW DOWN" on the top of my cards to remind me not to start talking a million miles per hour.
Whatever you do, don't follow the often given advice of imagining everyone naked. It will either gross you out or totally derail your train of thought.
Good luck.
It's not like you're giving a closing argument to be spared the death penalty so don't make too big of a deal out of it.
I was going to suggest a couple vodka tonics... ;)
GOOD LUCK ON THE TRAINING!!! (Since it's today)
"today" being the 16th; I thought it was already past midnight here.. LOL.
Thanks everyone for your suggestions!
All in all, I think it went well. I get another chance at it next week, but I shouldn't be as nerve-wracked as I was this time.
did the naked ppl laugh at you?
trix.
Hey Calam! How'd the training go?
http://thewonderworrier.wordpress.com/
Callie: The above link is to a new blog of mine (I've only done the first post so far).
After being a reader of Dooce, I've sort of wanted an online project like that for myself. It's not going to be nearly as good or as big as hers, I know, but I thought it'd be cool to have my own focused Blog.
Go easy on me if it ends up sucking. LOL. But I wanted to share the link. Hope you'll stop by and see my new project.
I'm still going to be using my LiveJournal... but that will be more for regular, everyday life updates. My new blog is sort of for focused, almost prepared writings relating to my crazy anxiety and worry-filled life. haha. :-)
Alright... so ignore the above. I've changed my mind on the word press thing.
I'm going to set up the same thing, but on Blogger. It's attached to google, which makes it a whole lot easier to be affiliated with Google and eventually do the Ads and all kinds of things I'd like to do in the future. LOL. Word Press just isn't going to work for me.
As you can see, I can log in now as a Blogger user... so I'm going to end up setting up my Blogger account now and pretty much copy my word press one, then I'm going to close my word press one. LOL. So if you do look at the word press; it's going to be the identical first entry when I get my blogger going.
I was in such a good mood to spread the word, but then I got some bad news as I continued to research Word Press... that'll teach me for being eager!!! ;-)
LOL. Sorry if this is nutty... bear with me... lol. I have a plan in mind, I just need to make it happen.
The trick is to picture your audience in their underwear.
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