Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Discussion 1.1: Apprehension
The person before me has just finished giving their speech and now it’s my turn. I gather my materials, walk calmly up to the podium, and look out at the audience. “Whoa, this is totally intimidating,” I think to myself. I’m staring at everybody and they at me, and I feel like I’m underneath everybody’s microscope. I researched the topic well and practiced my speech until I got sick, but still I get filled with anxiety. What I fear mainly is not being able to keep my anxiety under control to the point where I only concentrate on not making mistakes or not completely losing where I was in the speech. I have anxiety about having anxiety… how fitting. I know I can speak and articulate well, but under that “spotlight” I feel an immense pressure to deliver a “perfect” speech and that is where I get caught up. Instead of visualizing success, I cannot help but visualize failure.
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Hello Ashley, I go through the same thing you go through also. I practice until I feel good about it and I tell myself to think positive, but when it’s my turn to give a speech I totally freeze up and get really self conscious. A while back I had to research a topic of my choice and present it to the class. I did a lot of research and got a lot of information and wrote really good notes, I felt good about it. When it was time to give the speech I kind of clamped up and didn’t do a good job on presenting. My notes ended up being useless because I was so nervous. I think we just need a lot of practice so good luck to all of us and become better at giving speeches.
ReplyDeleteHi Ziplock! Quite a few people have exactly the same perspective, they get stuck in the spotlight and feel they need to deliver the perfect speech. But let me ask you this: is there a 'perfect' speech? What I tell my students in my classes is to try and relax and give yourself permission to mess up. It's ok to stumble over a word, or miss a little something in your speech. Does this make sense? :)
ReplyDeleteHey
ReplyDeleteDon't worry your not the only one who feels that way. Being under the spotlight is uncomfortable and I have the same exact thoughts. There is no such thing as a perfect speech. All public speakers have their embarrassing moments at the podium. Not everyone is perfect and everyone will make their mistakes. So you don’t have to feel the need to be perfect, we are only human. Don't be afraid we will all make mistakes even if we are all afraid of making them. You can be sure that no one is going to perfect when making their speech. Taking this class should help us deal with our anxiety so everyone will be right there with you in practicing building their confidence.