The DU Lounge
Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsI made it through my second speech in speech class.
The only criticisms were not enough eye contact and I seemed a bit out of breath. Those are both symptoms of stage fright. The teacher said I improved over my first speech.
I've gone from, "Holy shit! I think I'm going to die from a panic attack," to "I think I'm going to be able to do this."
Two classes two speeches. We don't have a speech due next week. Now, I kind of wish we had to do one every week. I can feel myself improving and I don't want to fall back into my old comfort zone and have to start all over again.
CaliforniaPeggy
(149,639 posts)And I think you're going to do just fine, even if you don't do a speech every week.
You will continue to build your self-confidence with every speech!
I know it's not the same, but you can practice at home with Jen...
Keep on keeping on!
Tobin S.
(10,418 posts)CherokeeDem
(3,709 posts)but it sounds like you're almost there. Great job!
The next one will be even easier.... and think, you've all most got this school thing whipped. Don't know how you've done it with working as hard as you do but you are to be commended!
Good luck!!!
Tobin S.
(10,418 posts)Yeah, it's been a long and rough road, but I'm almost at the finish line.
riderinthestorm
(23,272 posts)Tobin S.
(10,418 posts)Generic Brad
(14,275 posts)You stand as an example for many here. You are getting the best of your fear instead of allowing your fear to get the best of you. That is incredibly brave.
Tobin S.
(10,418 posts)I've come so far that I can't let something like this get the better of me now.
I've heard it said that the best way to conquer your fear is to confront it. I don't know if that works in every situation, but for something like what I'm doing it's the only way to go.
alarimer
(16,245 posts)Mostly from nerves, I suppose.
As an introvert, I (oddly) do not have fear of public speaking, but I don't get to practice enough.
As you have seen, practice does help a lot. The more you do it, the easier it should be.
Tobin S.
(10,418 posts)I almost titled my second speech "There's No Room for Introversion in Speech Class." Then I realized that wasn't true. You can definitely be an effective public speaker as an inward-looking person.
As far as practice goes, I think that is the key as well. The more you practice your speech, the easier it will be when it comes time to give it to your intended audience. I practiced my speech on my in-laws, friends, and my wife as well as giving it to my dog a couple of times.
I don't know if you saw my outline, but it was a pretty revealing self-introductory speech that contained stuff about my struggles with mental illness. The way I see it, if I can stand up there in front of a group of strangers and talk about that stuff (and live) then I can get up there and talk about anything. It's like trial by fire.
sharp_stick
(14,400 posts)If you're anything like me you shouldn't fall too far back. Once you get going it gets a bit easier every time.
One nice thing about being afraid to speak in public is that you put one hell of a lot of work into every talk you have to give and that makes each one better than the guy that just gets up and yammers for a while.
Paulie
(8,462 posts)Safe place to break through nerves. Amazing how much it has been a solid support after college in work and life.