Just thinking about what makes me apprehensive about public speaking, makes my mind jump in all different directions. In the chapter 2 reading, speech anxiety really explained it all. I experience the "quavering voice, shaking hands, increased heart rate" and most definitely nervousness. I guess what makes me so nervous is the uncertainty of my idea. I over think my topic too much, and always wonder what the audience thinks about it, which would fall under the spotlight effect. When giving my speech, I feel like I’m being analyzed, which I am, but I also forget that’s what everyone else is going through. I seem to feel all the attention is on me, even after the speech is over.
I know it can’t be done right away, but if I practice visualization, relabeling, and relaxation techniques overtime I can become a more confident speaker. Before my next speech, I will start by taking calm breaths and trying to avoid nervousness and channel it into something else. I say this now, but I can already feel the anxiety building!!!
I am right there with you when it comes to practicing the techniques. It is almost like the more you try to use the techniques the more worked up you get. I think that if we practice focusing on the audience and the fact that we are able to share something that is important to us then we will focus more on the information and not our nerves. Another technique that is important is just knowing your topic and enjoying your topic. You are less likely to be nervous if you are talking about something that you love and know. I also get the anxiety after the speech and feel the spotlight effect more so after than during, but like the book says just focus on listening to fallow up questions and what you did right. Good luck with your first speech!
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way when thinking about public speaking! The speech anxiety symptoms also exactly describe the way I feel before and during a speech. I am really not sure why I am so nervous to talk in front of people, but the thought of people judging my ideas and myself while I am talking in front of them probably has a lot to do with it. I too hope that the techniques that we learn in this class, and all of the practice that we will get, will help me to get over some of my anxiety, and that I can also be a more confident public speaker.
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