Public Speaking
January 29, 2008 by Canadian Investor Within
Well its that time again for me.
It has been quite a few years since I even had to do any form of presentation (high-school). I have to do a short one tomorrow in one of my classes. It actually took me all high-school to get over the fear and finally be comfortable. Now since it has been about 3 years since then, the butterflies decided to come back. I am trying to focus myself and be as prepared as possible. Somehow it isn’t enough. Yup, deep breath, just thinking and writing about it getting me all hyped up.
Oh its 10% of my final mark too….
Any pointers? I realize that if anyone reads this I might have done the presentation, if that is the case, I am still open to ideas because there will be more to come.
I’ll let you know how it goes tomorrow evening!
good luck tomorrow! (well, it’s already today here in Japan ~_^) What subject are you presenting on? And don’t fight the nervousness, let it carry you to a level of energy and enthusiasm that will keep your audience interested and not sleeping! ganbatte!! (aka good luck and try your best!)
~Madsilence the Younger
thank you very much, the younger of madsilence. It will be on globalization in Morocco and the Informal Economy. Interesting read, you dont often hear about all the problems associated with globalization.
I received my undergrad degree 30+ years ago & still get butterflies during presentations. It helps to know your subject well. Pour energy into the topic. You’re audience will pick up on your enthusiasm. If you have the opportunity, go over your topic with a friend.
Globalization & the informal economy sound a bit dry: will your audience be receptive? Globilization of economy & culture can be fascinating. Maybe a Powerpoint slideshow? Interesting graphics? Hand out some humus & pita? I once gave out chocolate Art Bars during a presentation on Islamic art.
Let us know how it goes.
MadSilence the Senior
thanks to the both of you for your interest and help, I do appreciate it.
It was actually only a very minor presentation in reality, 15 minutes. Its to fellow students so the attention really isnt there, on top of a topic that isnt the easiest to present in such short time. We did a slide show for them to follow along and asked a few questions at the end.
Overall it went alright, nothing was horrible about it, but nothing really stood out. But for what it was I think it was what the prof really expected anyway.
I think all this hype about being nervous actually seemed to have calmed me down and I was fine.
The chocolate bars are an awesome addition to a great presentation I am sure.
Thanks again
Fair enough. Currently you’re our resident expert on the economics of globalization. Please read this article:
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/story/cms.php?story_id=4095
Europe’s Philosophy of Failure
Is the author correct? I thought the success of the European economic union has put Europe on the path to economic success. Furthermore, I believed the parliamentary democratic model to be successful. And that Europe was reaching out to Turkey and China in the name of globalization.
What gives?
MadSilence
I wouldnt like to call myself an expert lol but thanks.
It was an interesting read, especially since the division between continent news and in this case education is quite different.
From what I know, there are opponents and proponents to globalization. It seems that France and Germany really focus on the opponents of globalization in great depth. The reasons exactly is only a geuss to me, possibly wanting to protect the future against problems or maybe even anti-western.
I know for Germany, unions are a large part of their life, so teaching it would be beneficial to the students in that respect. Now they are also in close proximity to some African countries that adopted a more capitalist economy and many problems have arisen (somewhat more complicated than just blaming it on globalization). So it is a possibility that the students are learning a more internationally based focus of globalization with a slightly more negative outlook compared to an American view where globalization is centered mainly on their own experience and views.
Keep in mind that economics is fairly new im comparison to say physical sciences. Therefore a lot of beliefs, views, morals are very different because a lot of things are not based on theories and hypotheses. Therefore many policies created by the governments can vary significantly.
Your are right to say the EU has created success and a much larger and powerful market economy. With it came some baggage that they seem to really focus on.
It is a tough topic to debate.
I’m probably too late but use for future public speaking opps. You know that advice people give you about thinking the audience is naked? That’s just gross. You don’t want to go blind or vomit while your speaking as it would just destroy your presentation.
Until you become comfortable speaking, concentrate on an object in the back of the room. Fuzz your vision so you can’t see people’s faces. Make sure to look down, check your notes and then look up… focusing on the back wall, wall clock, or something that is not human but makes you keep your head up.
Be conscious of saying the 3 death phrases: “like”, “um”, and “you know”.
Smile. Do not do spastic arm movements. If you get flustered or lose your place, cough and take a sip of water to regain composure.
You’ll get the hang of it. Promise.
thanks Pammy, I think if I did the naked thing I would just stumble on my words anyway lol and well vomit is … yeah
I will be sure to do the focusing on an object next time
The cough and water trick sounds like a fantastic idea!
thanks, I do appreciate it
I agree with Pammy. I don;t have to do a lot of public speaking myself but I definitely employ a lot of tactics to make the talking less anxiety-driven. The first step is to realize that if you did your work, you probably know a great deal about the subject at hand. Don’t doubt yourself. The reason we get jittery is because we fear judgment from others. Judgment that what we say is incorrect, we look odd, etc.
I just tell myself that I am teaching the audience. They are there to hear what I have to say. My only job is to represent what I have learned as best I can.
You aren’t the only one. It’s unbelievable as to how I can be so eloquent and charming when speaking to a small group of people, but can’t replicate it in front of a crowd.
@ paperdreamer - ahh yes doubt, that was definitely what I was feeling that day and all the days leading up to it. I knew all the info in my head but for some reason I still was not confident = doubt and judgement.
@ leafless - thanks, I think I am similar to that too
I understand where you are coming from composeanalysis. While fear pervades many aspects of business, presentations consistently drive it to exquisitely high levels. We use the term “presentation” to include any important one-on-one meeting, small group discussions around a table, or speaking before an audience of thousands.
We are talking about a particular kind of fear. Some fear helps motivate you to divert time from the pounding surf of your daily schedule and prepare for your presentation. There comes a point for most of us, however, when the fear is no longer useful. It has crossed the line from excitement to dread. Instead of driving preparation, it now impairs concentration and kills energy.
Fear has a thousand faces, but we have only three basic responses:
1. Ignore it
2. Evade it
3. Transcend it
Ignoring Fear
Merely suffering through your fear is the simplest and most common response. It requires no learning, effort or practice. Negative consequences flow from this path. In addition to being very stressful, fear tends to break concentration during preparation and disturbs other obligations.
Perhaps even more importantly, these enervating fears can also have an extremely negative impact on your performance in delivering your presentation. Fear robs your ability to casually walk to the stage and be yourself. It tends to kill excitement and block the ability to connect deeply with your audience. Fear can make your body stiff, your breathing labored and your physical movement unnatural.
Evading Fear
Usually the first step in dealing with your fear of the big presentation is figuring out how to avoid the fear. Even if you are looking for a longer term solution, at least temporarily avoiding the problem is a key step in creating the space to fashion more encompassing approaches.
Transcending Fear
Creative visualization is the first step in removing yourself from the scary thoughts and consciously guiding your mind to a new space: actively imagining the desired end result.
Professional and Olympic athletes spend time imagining the desired end result and track the measurable increased performance that follows the creative visualization sessions. Fear stems from the unconscious repetitive thoughts and feelings about failing.
VISUALIZATION
The key to successful visualizations is simultaneously feeling the emotions that would naturally attach to images that you see. To drive emotion, the most powerful vehicle is music - - music that stirs you. Often it is high energy music, something like the Rocky theme, hard driving rock, or passionate jazz or classical. The key is that it drives your energy higher, actively imagining the desired end result.
In visualization, there are two distinct ways to envision yourself: either looking at yourself from the position of an outside observer, or seeing the whole event through your own eyes. While everyone is different, it is usually easier to start by seeing an image of yourself from the perspective of an outside observer. As time goes by, many find it more effective to do the visualization through your eyes as a presenter.
Imagine the room in which you will present. If you know the room location, try and visit it before hand so you can create the exact setting of your presentation. If you can’t see a remote location, just imagine the kind of room it is likely to be.
VISUALIZATION EXERCISE
Imagine what you will experience prior to the presentation. See yourself walking toward the spot from which you will present.
As you see yourself approaching “the moment of truth,” can you feel where in your body the tension resides?
As you continue walking to the front of the room, see if you can exchange the feelings of fear with a closely related feeling - excitement. Fear is often a part of excitement and their affect on the body is the same: pounding pulse, heavy breathing, a slight shake in the extremities.
Feel the empowering sense that this could be your break-through moment. This could be when you reach to a higher level than you ever thought possible.
Imagine yourself now in front of the audience facing them, looking calmly and intently into their faces. Take a big breath and feel relaxation welling-up within you.
See their faces. Are they interested? Do they need something to enliven them? Take a moment for some “in-flow” of information before you begin the “out-flow” of information.
Visit: http://www.hendersongroup.com/art_pres_info.asp for more information.
thanks for the in depth approach terrygaultthg
I will definetly give this a go the next time any public event/presentation I have to deal with
it was a facinating read and really hit home