What do you do if your nerves get the best of you during a public speaking event?

Imagine you're giving a presentation to a large group of people. You start to feel nervous and your heart races. What to do: 1. Take a deep breath: Inhale slowly through your nose, hold for a few secondss and exhale slowly. 2. Focus on your audience: Remember that they're here to learn from you. They want you to succeed. 3.Visualize success: Imagine yourself giving a confident and engaging presentation. By following these tips, you can manage your nerves and deliver a successful speech.

Glossophobia is an anxiety disorder, a strong fear of public speaking Remember, even the best speakers get nervous Act confident, get recognised, respected as a competent speaker While you are speaking find people in the audience who either smile or nod in agreement Public speaking anxiety may be diagnosed as Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) Therapy for public speaking anxiety: Virtual Reality Systematic desensitization Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) Medication: Beta-blockers Selective Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) Serotonin- norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) Prepare properly ,seek professional help, take medication Most public speakers believe that a little anxiety makes you a better speaker

If your nerves start to take over during a public speaking event, it’s important to have strategies in place to regain your composure and stay on track. Here’s what you can do to manage the situation effectively 1. Pause and Breathe Take a Moment to Pause Focus on Breathing 2. Ground Yourself Anchor Yourself Physically Shift Focus Away from Your Nerves 3. Slow Down Speak Slowly and Deliberately Emphasize Key Points 4. Refocus on Your Message Remember Your Purpose Use Your Notes or Slides 5. Engage with the Audience Ask a Question or Tell a Story Make Eye Contact with Friendly Faces 6. Own the Moment 7. Use Positive Self-Talk 8. Simplify Your Message If Necessary 9. Use Your Body Language to Project Confidence 10. Keep Things in Perspective

Feeling nervous during public speaking? Develop a Pre-Speech Routine: ????♂? Listen to calming music or do light stretches before speaking to get into the right mindset. Seek Opportunities for Exposure: ???? Gain experience by speaking in front of smaller groups to build confidence over time. Learn Relaxation Techniques: ??♀???? Techniques like deep breathing exercises, meditation, or progressive muscle relaxation can help you stay calm. Consider Professional Support: ?????? If nerves persist, consider working with a public speaking coach or joining groups like Toastmasters. It's normal to feel nervous. With practice and effective strategies, you can overcome anxiety and become a confident speaker. ??

Visualizing that your speech delivery was successful is a great way to curb anxiety and tension before your speech. This also entails envisioning that your audience is giving you applause after your delivery, this helps to boost your confidence and morale. When you do this, the universe has a way of sending positive energy to your way to smash your delivery. This a powerful technique that I have been consistently practicing to date.

This is key to anything - always begin with the end in-mind, and know that you are going to smash expectations - if you go in expecting bad things to happen, then they usually will. I have seen this occur to many people including myself time and time again! Perception is reality!

1. Take Deep Breaths: Breathe slowly to calm your nerves and bring your focus back. 2. Pause Briefly: It's okay to pause for a moment to collect your thoughts and regain control. 3. Focus on Your Feet: Feel the ground beneath your feet to anchor yourself and stay present. 4. Speak Slowly: Slow down your speech to help reduce anxiety and stay in control. 5. Make Eye Contact: Connect with one or two friendly faces in the audience to feel supported.

Sometimes I do get dizzy/nervous on-stage especially if it's a large audience and/or if it's a very important presentation - remember though to sometimes ground yourself by looking at your feet (that works for me!) and along with holding onto the podium, will help you level set.

Don't learn your speech by heart. Memorize a strong opening and a powerful closing and the keywords for the sections in between. Always remember - the audience doesn't know what you wanted to say, only what you actually said. Even if you forgot something - they don't know. Relax. And if you should really get stuck, don't hide it. Huge amounts of energy go into trying to be perfect and you will never be. Nobody is. Be human and admit it. Don't be a victim by constantly complaining either, nobody likes that. But allow yourself to be vulnerable, admit that your nerves kicked in, smile and connect with the audience - you'll most likely get a spontaneous round of applause, because as humans we connect to humanness. And then carry on. ??

When your thoughts scatter like autumn leaves caught in the wind, it’s tempting to chase them all. Instead, gather them one by one, focusing on each leaf as it drifts down. By breaking your ideas into manageable pieces, you create a path as clear as a well-trodden trail through the forest, making it easier to find your way back when nerves try to cloud your memory.

Don't talk too much - use your slides as backing but keep it simple. I just presented today - I usually just have 1-slide for overviews - and people LOVE that. Nobody wants multiple-slide presentations, the fewer you have the better!

Engaging the audience is a great way to calm yourself when you are 'stuck'! I have moments when I said,"Oops! I think I had a brain freeze right now- what was the last thing I said?" When the audience replies, you can either thank them and carry on, or light- heartedly say "Was just checking to see how many of you are listening!" Or ask a few rhetorical questions, get a couple of answers,which gives you time to breathe, then segue seamlessly back on on track.

If nerves get the best of you when speaking in public, don’t hesitate to acknowledge it. Almost everyone has experienced fear when speaking in front of an audience, and showing vulnerability can make you more relatable. The audience will likely appreciate your honesty and root for you.

Sometimes starting out a speaking engagement with audience participation is a good way to warm up your nerves. It helps to see and hear from others at the top of your talk. But be careful to always use “home run” interactions. Ask questions you know will get a response. If you’re feeling nervous or lose your train of thought acknowledge that from stage. It’s disarming and authentic when that happens. The audience will be on your side and support you. It’s a good idea to have a line you can say in a moment like this like “The next thing I’m about to say is going to be brilliant… I just need to remember what that is (or consult my notes).” A bit of humor goes a long way in these situations.

I tend to tell the audience "Quite nerve wrecking to be up here Infront of you all, I know they said to pretend you are all naked but now I find I have lost my words" !! It puts everyone at ease. the audience will feel more inclined towards you as you are just human and just like one of them, if that makes sense.

Your audience is like a garden, waiting for seeds of connection. Each glance, question, and interaction is a seed planted in fertile soil. As you engage them, these seeds sprout, turning the room into a thriving conversation, where the focus shifts from your nerves to the growth of collective understanding. The more you water this engagement, the more vibrant the atmosphere becomes.

Rehearsing is akin to sharpening a blade. With each run-through, you hone your edges, making them sharper and more precise. Practice is the whetstone, turning your speech from raw material into a finely crafted tool, ready to cut through any doubt or hesitation. The more familiar you become with your material, the stronger your armor against the nerves that may otherwise creep in.

Regular practice can help - but I'd add caution here, because it can become obsessive and a way to get in a mindset of looking for all the potential problems with your presentation, or repeatedly beat yourself up for not getting it right. Both those things can actually heighten anxiety, by causing your brain to believe all is not well. Make sure you practice when you're feeling calm, take steps to reduce your anxiety and take a break (like going for a walk or adding in movement), and give yourself a mental limit/window for how much practice is reasonable. Add in visualising the whole thing going well, and you'll start to relax into it and maybe even enjoy it!