I've had this problem forever and I'm sick of it. I am always being offered to speak in lectures and debates, and though I know I can speak well I refuse the offers because I get so nervous standing in front of a bunch of people....

Simple things like participating in contests I can't do. A couple months ago I was selected to be in a contest (in front of the whole school) and since my name was announced right then I couldn't refuse so I get up there do what I have to do, but I'm shaking the whole time......

I really want to over come this. I've done it a couple of times (once for a speech) where I was fine but that is only if I've been practising before hand. If I'm called up on the spot I can't handle it.

Can anyone help? I have an awards ceremony coming up and I really don't want to go but I have to and I'm dreading it. :weep:

I just want to be at complete ease, whoever I'm in front of.

Hey there,
U sound like a very active person :D. Well... i am not very good at giving speeches or giving presentations, but when I am out there I try to do my best.
I always think of it as a chance to talk, and a chance where everyone will hav to listen to me weather they like it or not :P. U dont always a chance to speak to a big group of people and find them hanging around listening to you, so to me, a presentation is a "chance" to express mtyself. I know that what I say would be restricted to the topic I would talk about, but I could little touches to personalise it...
I just enjoy them, and forget that all these people are looking for the mistakes I might make. A thing that could help is to think that all these people are not really people... dont look at their eyes, but at their foreheads... that helped me a lot.
I know, this isnt very helpful, but rememeber, if you are always called to make talks or present things, then you must be good at that, and you shouldnt worry, all these people just want you to be up there, so dont worry... just enjoy it!

Hmmmm yeah actually i had that too.... when i do those formal presentations and stufff..... it seems scary....

But u get used to it RA!!

I'll tell u something i do and does help me actually.

I always have a small thing... whatever it is.... in my hand.....

like a paper clip or whatever...... it just make me feel good when am in front of a crowd doing something!!!!!

It did and does help me.......
But for sure i must be ready before that, be prepared and did practice it.

Thats from my experience side :)

Let us hear what the expertese might say

P.S i'll loose credits if i don't look at them in the eyes azraq :wink:

Cheers

Well RA, I have the same problem too, I get scared whenever I have to do a presentation or give a speech or something. I can talk if it's not very formal, but to stand in front of a huge group, with many people and seniors, it's usually too much, and I have trouble thinking of anything else, and I always get these weird ideas in my head of how things can go wrong. The best thing to do, is to try and relax once you get there, look at people, eye contact is very important, but don't stare at one person for a long time, you'll make him uncomfortable. Another thing is, why not use an ice breaker, you'll feel better once your audience smiles or laughs at a joke. Evilio's idea is good too, I always hold something in my hand too, helps me to get rid of my pressure! The most important thing, is to believe in yourself, tell yourself that you've worked hard and that you're going to do just great, and usually once you start talking and you feel that people are paying attention, you tend to loosen up a bit and start acting normally.
Well I'm curious to know of what the others have got to say!:)

i still get pretty nervous when am asked to talk or present infront of a crowd , but once i start and get used to the faces that are infront of me,, it all goes down hill.

evilio's suggestion is very good, as i my self have to have something in my hand like a pen or anything,,,that i can play with while talking , as it somehow relaxes me and makes me forget about the whole crowd that are infront of me.

Ya i agree with Evilio and B.I That somehow a tool in your hand is such a revealer...
To tell you the truth am the worst person to comment about this..
Subhan alla EVERY and i mean EVERY presentation i do it turns out to be a funny story!
I allways end up laughing and everyone around me as well!
dont even ask me how that happens but it does
:o

EviliO ,


I know, eye contact :P
That's the point, you pretend to be keeping eye contact, by looking at their foreheads...no one can tell the difference. I learnt that from one of my teachers ;)

ooooh ok i misunderstood u then :wink:

i guess i couldnt fine a better headling than boy.i really join the cluib...i had to give alecture to my class..since i am supposse to me the idle student..belive me i was shaking like an eath quake,,but i over come it..but reading the fatha before doing my speech and leave everything to Allah..see u seem to be a good active speecher and i bet u can do it ...and non one is better than others,,u are the best there..unless they wouldve chose other people to speech..so in u u know u can do it..no problems..u are the best..i guess it is all up to u.. u know u are the best so show the people the best...thank u

I suffer from this as well.. only when it's in class and there are male students.. otherwise am fine..
u can see the paper am holding shaking and me feeling restless.. and what's worse is that i hate standing on my feet for a long time.. once I was abt to faint unless the teacher gave us a short break..
what I usually do is control my worries.. especially when am IN the situation.. I also control my breath.. am very quiet.. very calm.. very sensible.. am different when am in front of the class.. and it goes well.. the preparation is a reason as well.. :)
best of luck runnin' around :color:

yeah floret you are right...i do really envy teachers cause they dont pass thorugh all this:6: :D