Dain Brammage

[Brian2112]

Stage fright? Never a problem for me! :p :D (Hell, I didn’t know there was an audience half the time). But public speaking???:eek: AHHHHH!!!. I’m terrified.

I have been invited by one of the two major Texas Universities to be a guest speaker this week (just in one literature class – not that big a deal). The topics will include Syllable Structure, The Use of Symmetry and Asymmetry in the Writing of Poetry and Prose, Effective use of Rhyme Scheme, “Maintaining the Shape of the Language”, “Show don’t Tell”, Acceleration/Deceleration for Effect…and other crap. I have a nice set of notes (no pun intended) and a lesson plan. The problem is the public speaking part. If I take my anti-anxiety pill, I’ll just be a drone…soo any ideas on how to deal with this fear?

Terrified in Texas....ok..ok...2112:p

[Joseph Burrell]

Wish I could help buddy, but my heart stops when I even think of public speaking. :o

[SeanHannifin]

I'm not the greatest public speaker in the world, but from my experience giving presentations in high school (and one last semester), I'll try to help. :) Practice saying whatever you want to say, and rehearse a few times to become comfortable communicating the subject. And, from a college student's perspective, show no fear! :D I don't mean to make you more afraid, but it's really annoying when a speaker says "I'm kinda nervous, so forgive me." You can't let anybody ever know you are nervous!

Also, if you're not very interested in the subject you're speaking about, pretend to be. Pretend it is your life, and there is nothing you'd rather do but talk about it. Be so into it that everybody thinks you are a nerd (a smart nerd, that is). If you make a good impression, maybe they'll invite you back!

And practice, practice, practice . . .

And if you use any examples, try to make them funny, to help calm any tension.

Hope this helps! :)

[Garritan]

The problem is the public speaking part. If I take my anti-anxiety pill, I’ll just be a drone…soo any ideas on how to deal with this fear?

Just picture the audience in their underwear http://www.northernsounds.com/forum/images/smilies/eek.gif http://www.northernsounds.com/forum/images/smilies/eek.gif http://www.northernsounds.com/forum/images/smilies/eek.gif
(No wait, you'll be out of place or you may laugh too muchhttp://www.northernsounds.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)

Better idea. I'll be in Texas faster than a jack rabbit on a hot tin roof running from a twister! You can rehearse your talk and I'll be a receptive audience to practice with.

Gary Garritan

[Brian2112]

Hey Sean Thanks!!!!:)

Yea, now that you mention all that, I think I'll be o.k.

I love the topic - so that's easy!

I have heard enough..."uh...and.." speeches to know how annoying that can be:p

And humor...I guess I'll be o.k. (at least in my own mind).

I think it’s just the anxiety before-hand that creeps me out. I have so much to cover and I’m so excited about the topics that the real problem will be getting me to shut up at some point once I get started.

Dad does it every day so maybe it’s in the genes….hehe.:D

Thanks again! I feel better now!:D
..2112

[Brian2112]

Just picture the audience in their underwear http://www.northernsounds.com/forum/images/smilies/eek.gif http://www.northernsounds.com/forum/images/smilies/eek.gif http://www.northernsounds.com/forum/images/smilies/eek.gif

That is my normal state of being...Nice try though....LOL!!!:D :p
The speech is Thursday so I'll just have to tell you how it went over...heheh. If I show up in San Antonio with egg on my face, I'll be easy to spot.:D

Seriously, thanks Gary! Can’t wait to see you!

...2112:D

[rwayland]

Stage fright? Never a problem for me! :p :D (Hell, I didn’t know there was an audience half the time). But public speaking???:eek: AHHHHH!!!. I’m terrified.


Well, with me it is usually the other way around. Not much stage fright with organ, but with piano, I am every bit as calm as a butterfly in a hurricane! With speaking, no problems. I once gave an extended impromptu speech in German, (in Frankfurt) had a lot of fun. But a little later, when I played at a concert, I was a nervous wreck! Teaching was a delight, when teaching electonic theory, but giving private music lessons was an ordeal. Practice and confidence have nothing to do with it for me, it is simply the way things are!

Be sure to take the river cruise in San Antonio. I enjoyed it immensely.

Richard

[GigaLove]

...what I always did was recording my lecture. it won't make the stage-fright disappear...but at least you can hear, analyse and improve your speech.

so it's a kind of good practice and might make you feel a little bit more safe on stage.

[Styxx]

Brian, Being prepared is more than half the battle! If there is even one small doubt about just one section, then you'll be uncomfortable. Make sure everything is set in your mind and make a road map of the lecture. Go over it seven times seven until you can hear it in your sleep. That always works for me. Or, I just picture myself on stage behind my drumset with a mic.
However, if anything goes wrong do what I do. Bring a 46" big fat piece of salami with you and start joking!:D

BTW - If you do visit Mr. G., please say Haallo for me, thank you.:)

[SteveMitchell]

Hmmmm. I'm a natural loudmouth, so I usually get the audience in stitches shortly after the start. However, the FEAR is still there at the beginning. I like a couple of beers before going on or at least a Valium. http://www.northernsounds.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

Stevemitchell

[qbert]

I find trying to have occassional dialogue with the audience can really help. But if they are a bunch of silent clams, this can backfire!

But really: know your material cold going in, but go with the flow. Also, it helps to have a few notes/outline handy in case you have a brain fart.

I used to find that verbal affirmations help kick away some of the jitters, but I think the Stuart Smalley SNL character ruined that technique for me!

Good luck!

JP

[Styxx]

Look, just get up there and say, Hey, youz! You listen to me or I'll have me boyz come out there and take measurements for da cement shoezz! Den, ya give em all an All Tamato! Look em in da eye and say, Ice cream on Gary during the break! :D

Besides, I already contacted the University and reminded them they overlooked one important fact ...

THE MANS NUTS GRAB 'EM!:D

[Styxx]

!ekuD sgnilgdelf ruoy tsurt dna uoy nihtiw ecrof eht leef si od dluohs uoy kinht I tahW :p
Arrr yar gonna stick em with me poker! Arrrrrr ya now yourng Harkinz.:D

[LFO]

Hey Brian,
I know where you are coming from, but in the opposite way. When I have to perform my sustain pedal foot shakes like a 9.0 on the ricter (sp?) scale. However, when I speak I never feel even a flutter of anxiety. I've been speaking now for fifteen years. I've been a keynote speaker at various computer conventions, I am constantly giving seminars for IBM and present to executives on a weekly basis. (Hopefully this won't come off as tooting my own horn too much! I'm not a rock star, I'm a technical marketer. :rolleyes: )

Over the years I've tried to learn why my presentations are effective and why people usually (*not* always!) have very positive feedback. (By very positive I mean when people say `We have to get you to our company to present!') Here is what I have discovered:

1) I have to know the topic I am presenting on as thorougly as possible. It allows for `improvisation' and productive discussion.

2) I always always always come up with my own unique angle on the topic. if it has been done and said before, it is of no worth to me. It also helps if my approach is a valid approach. ;)

3) I am always prepared with real world examples. In my industry, that would be companies who are successfully using a given technology. Again, I try to find what is not obvious but pertinent.

4) Where and when I can I add humor to the presentation. I'm not a stand up comic, but I do know what is funny to both techies and technical management. I use the appropriate humor with the appropriate audience. Most of the time it works, at times it does not. When it does not, I usually don't ignore it, I play off of it. That will always at least lighten up the mood. You have to read the audience and respond accordingly...

5) I watch the audience carefully. I adjust as needed. When I am using PowerPoint, I won't hesitate to trash the slides and use a whiteboard or whatever is available. I look for `brain melt'. Once people are saturated, they will no longer benifit from the presentation. When I see them getting glassy eyed, etc. I'm done. End of story. Thanks for all the fish, I'm outta here.

I am writing this while on a conference call for the launch of Red Hat Advanced Server 4. :) If it is a bit dry or non-sensical it is because my little brain is not multitasking well. :) Hopefully this helps. All the best of luck to you and let us know how it goes!

-LFO

[chmara]

As a regular speaker and performer (I get really nervous about my music dabbling being heard) I can only say that after 50 some years of pub lic speaking and performing -- NERVES IS GOOD. Worrying about it is not.

The nervouseness of public speaking never passes in most people. but pros turn it into style and flare. That, as with musical performance adds, sponteniety and focus.

Remember to, in speaking, UNLIKE MUSIC, the audience does not know what comes next -- and as with conversation -- present as if they were friends.

GC

[Brian2112]

Hey those are really great thoughts!!!! Thank you so much!:)

Man these GPO folks have a plan for everything! I knew I came to the right place!

This really helps me! Thank you again.:o
...2112

[Styxx]

Hey those are really great thoughts!!!! Thank you so much!:)

Man these GPO folks have a plan for everything! I knew I came to the right place!

This really helps me! Thank you again.:o
...2112
Suewre, ya want fries with that too?:rolleyes:

[Brian2112]

Suewre, ya want fries with that too?:rolleyes:

I know that if my brain locks up, the first thought in my head will be "The Man's Nuts - Grab'em!" I will then be able to continue with a smile.:D

[Styxx]

:D :D

[SeanHannifin]

5) I watch the audience carefully. I adjust as needed. When I am using PowerPoint, I won't hesitate to trash the slides and use a whiteboard or whatever is available. I look for `brain melt'. Once people are saturated, they will no longer benifit from the presentation. When I see them getting glassy eyed, etc. I'm done. End of story. Thanks for all the fish, I'm outta here.

I wish some of my professors would think like that . . . :D

[Styxx]

I wish some of my professors could think!:D

[amb]

I say eat a bunch of viagra so you can relive those pleasant experiences of middle school !!

[rageangel]

As one might guess from my pitiful posts, I'm not a professional musician. However, I am of that breed of evil creatures responsible for the utter destruction of the Americawn Way and George Bush' recession. Yes-a Trial Lawyer (and I don't mean personal injury, I mean I reall TRY cases).
The most important thing, besides being prepared, is to be yourself.
The second most important thing is to talk about what you want to talk about. Whatever gets you excited by the subject-hit it once, hit it again and keep on hitting it until you've made your point.
The third is Forget Yourself. Not a single thought about yourself or the impact you're making, whether you're doing good or doing bad-just do it!
The last-Enjoy yourself. I've never met a person who didn't like to talk!