Public speaking - help

MrsN052408

Hi,
I'm new here. I'm an RN working in nursing administration. I fear public speaking. Only do it when necessary. Don't do it well. It will keep me from advancing in my career. I'd like to improve this skill. How can I do that? I turn red, break out in hives, sweat, lose the ability to concentrate and keep my train of thought. I can prepare the best presentation but all rational thought goes out the window when I start speaking. I am an introvert and shy by nature. I do better in smaller groups.
Thanks!

JessAnnJ

Some people are prescribed medication like beta blockers to take before speaking that control the physical symptoms associated with anxiety, but I think the best way to improve is practice. Look into toastmasters.

shannm

I would look for a class taught by your employer, or a community college, or some sort of toastmasters group and get some guidance and practice.

MrsN052408

Thanks! I hadn't heard of toastmasters. I will look into that.

MrsN052408

Yes. My employer would pay for it. Is there one class better than others? I know Dale Carnegie has a public speaking component to it. I'm very rural so I will need to do some searching and go out of the area for it. Thanks! I did find a toastmasters club about an hour away.

LoCarb

I was on the Forensics team in college and the best advice received was practice, practice, practice!  Once you know your speech backwards and forwards you don't have to you are more comfortable with the material and have to mentally prepare less. If that makes sense. You don't have to memorize a script but merely bullet points on a topic in which you can further share. This will make the delivery smoother.  Finally, record yourself via video.  Watch the video, critique yourself, be your own worst enemy. In a sense, make a 'fool' of yourself and become more comfortable. After all, you are probably anxious because you will forget your speech (or something similar). Once you have gone through the worse case scenarios you will be more comfortable. It's all about experience. Also, ditto PP on beta blockers on anxiety meds.

GreenMonkey1

If your employer will pay for a class I would check out the local colleges and training schools (vocational/occupational institutions).  There are some great community colleges and vocational schools in my area (I work in a rural location) that offer all sorts of classes like public speaking, woodworking, different computer skills.

I had to take a public speaking class to earn my degree and the first time I got up to give a presentation I stood there, totally frozen.  Took me a good 2-minutes before I could get my mouth to move!  Practice is what helped me and now public speaking is a huge part of my job and it comes much more naturally.

Muffins_Mom

I hate public speaking, too. I've been told that it's the one thing that was holding me back professionally in my organization. I went to some Toastmasters meetings. I began to observe people making speeches and speaking in public generally. That's when I realized that many people dislike it. That helped me. Something else that's helped me is to realize the worst thing that can happen is that I'm bad. No one will die. No one will even get hurt. I'll just suck. my advice is to learn your material. Have it become second nature, so that you can say it in your sleep. Practice, practice practice, then practice some more.