So nervous!

carladillon

I am attending a meeting for the next 3 days, primarily just to offer some support/assistance to those that have organized it.  Well, one of the presenters isn't able to make it so now I have been asked to fill in for them this afternoon.  GAAA!  I hate public speaking....I am knowledgable about the topic, but whenever I get in front of a large group of people, my head goes blank and my face gets hot and I start breathing heavy.  I've made notes and have been practicing all morning.  I was practicing in the car after dropping off LO at the sitter and I ended up hitting the pole on our covered parking and F-ed up the front/passenger side of the car.

Ugh...hope I don't pass out...

JenniferTCU

Hey Carla! I was a public speaking major in college. Yes, that's a real major. lol You are going to be fine! It comes second nature to me and I realize it doesn't for everyone but when I try to help people who are nervous, I just remind them that the audience is made up of regular, ordinary people. They are there because YOU have something important to say and they want to hear you say it. Just try to relax and speak to them as if you're having a one on one conversation. Pick out a few smiling faces in the audience and look at them when you start to feel your heartrate increase. You're going to do great!

YaraC

You'll do great! Pick one person in the audience to speak to (hopefully someone who will be giving you positive feedback in the form of nods and smiles). Good Luck!!!!

I hate public speaking too.

D'oh about the car though.

nisems

I am a semi-recovered public speaking-phobe so I can definitely feel your pain.  Looks like you've got all of the suggestions that I was going to give already, so I'll just remind you that you can do it, (for goodness sake, you gave birth, you can do anything now!!!), and that you'll be great!!

Give us an update when it is all over.  Just think of how wonderful you'll feel then!

mama.bear

Go, get 'em girl!

You own this subject. Remember that!

jarbatz

OMG I HATE public speaking....but the few times I've had to do it, I just literally give myself a pep talk before hand and tell myself "you can do this" and "it will be over before you know it"....and I've never passed out or had any huge mishaps....and I'm sure you'll do the same!!  

The build up before hand is always worse than the actual experience.  GL and let us know how it went!!!

pahokie

You'll do great!  You know the material.  Like pp said, I try to find specific friendly faces to make eye contact and smile, rather than look over the whole group.

KD288

Go Get Em Girl!!!

Really gret advice here. You'll do great!!!

vanverth

Keep it conversational and fun.  Remember if you find what you are presenting boring, so will your audience.  Keep your language simple and smile.  Look for a few friendly faces and concentrate on them.  Also, have something you can hold in your hand.  I find if I have something in my hand, I concentrate better. 

leffe1

I can relate...BUT you will do great! Just picture everyone in their underwear :-)

fauxshelley

Good luck!