Michelle Silva Giving Your First Speech Reducing Anxiety

Michelle Silva Reducing Speech Anxiety Acquire speaking experience Prepare, prepare, prepare Think positively Use the power of visualization Know that most nervousness is not visible Don’t expect perfection

Michelle Silva Process Anxiety: Not knowing what to do. Performance Anxiety: “stage-fright” and fear of social scrutiny Psychological Anxiety: Internal monologue that can be extremely negative.

Michelle Silva Overcoming Process Anxiety Understanding that all speech-writing is based on the 5 canons or stages: –Invention: Creating the Speech by coming up with a good speech topic and researching that topic. –Arrangement: Organizing the Speech by logically assembling your main points and supporting materials (introduction, body, conclusion). –Style: Using effective language –Memory: Learning your major ideas –Delivery: Performing the speech. Work on methods of delivery; eye contact and nonverbal communication.

Michelle Silva Overcoming Performance Anxiety Fight-or-flight mechanism: This is a physiological response that produces the hormone adrenaline in your body. –Increased heart rate –Butterflies –Sweaty palms –Dry mouth

Michelle Silva How to Cope with These Symptoms Take care of your body: Get enough sleep and enough to eat before presenting. Plan & Prepare Beforehand; use a great introduction to get you going. Practice! Claim your space at the podium: Take a breath, make eye contact with the audience, adjust your body, head up, shoulders back—take your time—smile! And begin when ready! Use whatever ‘props’ you need at the podium to feel comfortable –A means of timing yourself –Water (it is okay to take a drink—everyone will recognize this basic need and respect it!) –Lucky charm or faith object

Michelle Silva Overcoming Psychological Anxiety Control negative thoughts Visualize yourself doing well