adiamond Posted November 23, 2015 Share Posted November 23, 2015 (edited) I'm having a really difficult time right now because I have been giving really IMPORTANT presentations and interviews and I'm SO BAD at speaking. I jump around and my voice is literally shaking and I can't talk fluently at all. It feels like my mind blanks and all the practice that I've had before is just gone. It's literally embarrassing and it's really hurting my academic and social life. I was wondering if you guys have any suggestions for me as well as where I could practice some more on public speaking because practice makes perfect. When I talk to people who I perceive as important, or even if I really really like someone I get so nervous and I stutter and it's so embarrassing because people don't understand what I say and makes me look unintelligent. I feel like I need to have more confidence in myself and I was wondering if you guys have any suggestions. I barely even remember what I say Edited November 23, 2015 by adiamond Link to post Share on other sites
d0nnivain Posted November 23, 2015 Share Posted November 23, 2015 Practice. If you are giving a speech, don't memorize it but have an outline you can refer to, use note cards or a power point to jog your memory. Rehearsing is key. Very few people are good extemporaneous speakers & even the ones who look like they are (think presidential candidates) only appear that way. they have spent hours practicing their debating techniques & polishing those sound bites. In an interview again practice makes perfect. Think about common interview Qs & polish your answer to them. You can't write these answers out but you should know yourself well enough to answer. Speak slowly. You don't have to blurt everything out at once. Link to post Share on other sites
Wewon Posted November 24, 2015 Share Posted November 24, 2015 Join a group like toastmasters. They are a small, very supportive group that helps people to practice public speaking, at any meeting you are required to give a short speech on a topic. I would agree with above, being organized but not rigid will help with the anxiety. Understand your topic well, but don't memorize, you should be comfortable speaking from cues and/or key points. 2 Link to post Share on other sites
JustGettingBy Posted November 24, 2015 Share Posted November 24, 2015 Practice in front of a mirror. Link to post Share on other sites
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