Managing Speech Anxiety Chapter Four Managing Speech Anxiety

Chapter Four Table of Contents What Causes Public Speaking Anxiety? Pinpointing the Onset of PSA Strategies for Getting Started with Confidence*

Managing Speech Anxiety The difference between seasoned public speakers and inexperienced speakers is that seasoned speakers are more practiced at making speech anxiety work for, and not against, them.*

What Causes Public Speaking Anxiety? Researchers have identified several causes for public speaking anxiety (PSA), or the fear associated with either actual or anticipated communication to an audience as a speaker.*

What Causes Public Speaking Anxiety? Lack of Experience Feeling Different Being the Center of Attention*

What Causes Public Speaking Anxiety? Lack of Experience Anxiety is a natural reaction to new experiences. Those who decide to avoid making speeches altogether lose out on speechmaking’s considerable rewards.*

What Causes Public Speaking Anxiety? Feeling Different Despite people’s differences, almost everyone experiences nervousness about giving a speech. Novice speakers become anxious because they worry that being unique also means being inferior, but everyone is different.*

What Causes Public Speaking Anxiety? Being the Center of Attention You see yourself more critically than the audience does. When listeners seem to be not paying attention, we think we must be doing something wrong—but in fact, audiences notice little about us that we don’t want to reveal.*

Pinpointing the Onset of Public Speaking Anxiety The onset of PSA can occur at different times during the speechmaking process; for some people it arises as soon as they first learn they are to give a speech, for others it arises as they approach the podium.*

Pinpointing the Onset of Public Speaking Anxiety Pre-Preparation Anxiety Preparation Anxiety Pre-Performance Anxiety Performance Anxiety*

Pinpointing the Onset of Public Speaking Anxiety: Pre-Preparation Anxiety Those who experience pre-preparation anxiety, or an anxiety the minute they know they will be giving a speech, may be reluctant to begin planning, or so preoccupied that vital information is missed.*

Pinpointing the Onset of Public Speaking Anxiety: Preparation Anxiety Those who experience preparation anxiety feel anxious only when they begin to prepare, feeling overwhelmed by the amount of time and planning that is required.*

Pinpointing the Onset of Public Speaking Anxiety: Pre-Performance Anxiety Pre-performance anxiety occurs when people rehearse their speech. They may realize their ideas don’t sound as focused or interesting as they should.*

Pinpointing the Onset of Public Speaking Anxiety: Performance Anxiety The majority of people experience performance anxiety, or anxiety just before speaking begins; this is usually most pronounced during the introduction phase of the speech.*

Strategies for Getting Started with Confidence The surest route to gaining confidence is through preparation and practice.*

Strategies For Getting Started With Confidence Prepare and Practice Modify Thoughts and Attitudes Visualize Success Use Relaxation Techniques Depersonalize the Speech Evaluation Seek Pleasure in the Occasion*

Strategies for Getting Started With Confidence: Prepare and Practice If you are confident that you know the material you are to present and have adequately rehearsed the delivery, you’ll feel more confident at the podium.*

View public speaking as an opportunity, not a threat.* Strategies for Getting Started With Confidence: Modify Thoughts And Attitudes Regard your speech as a valuable, worthwhile, and challenging activity. Remind yourself why public speaking is helpful personally, socially, and professionally. View public speaking as an opportunity, not a threat.*

Strategies for Getting Started With Confidence: Visualize Success Visualizing A process (in the context of public speaking) of mentally seeing a series of positive feelings and reactions that will occur on the day of the speech*

Stress-Control Breathing Strategies for Getting Started With Confidence: Use Relaxation Techniques Stress-Control Breathing A form of breathing in which the center of breathing is felt on the stomach rather than on the chest Stage One Inhale air and let your abdomen go out. Exhale air and let your abdomen go in. Stage Two As you inhale, use a soothing word such as “calm” or “relax.”*

Strategies for Getting Started With Confidence: Use Relaxation Techniques Practice some controlled, natural gestures that might be useful in enhancing your speech, such as holding up your index finger when starting your first main point.*

Strategies for Getting Started With Confidence: Use Relaxation Techniques Walk around as you make some of your points, instead of standing behind the podium the entire time. Movement relieves tension, and it helps to hold the audience’s attention.*

Your concern as a speaker should be with your message, not yourself. Strategies for Getting Started With Confidence: Depersonalize The Speech Evaluation Your concern as a speaker should be with your message, not yourself. This will help to lessen your anxiety about presenting the speech. It reminds you of your speech purpose. Think of your speech as a conversation instead of a performance.*

Giving a speech can be satisfying and empowering. Strategies for Getting Started With Confidence: Seek Pleasure in the Occasion Giving a speech can be satisfying and empowering. If you prepare and practice, keep a positive attitude, make stress work for you, and visualize success, public speaking can be challenging and exciting.*