Week 2 Managing Nervousness Chapter 2 Managing Nervousness

Week 2: Managing Nervousness

Chapter 2: Managing Nervousness “Speakers who say they are cool as a cucumber usually give speeches about as interesting as a cucumber. ” ~I. A. R. Wylie

Reasons for Nervousness �Fear of being stared at �Fear of failure or rejection �Fear of the unknown �A traumatic experience in the past �Social anxiety

Value of Fear �Recognizing the reason you are fearful is an important step in learning to manage nervousness �Need a certain amount of fear to give a good speech �Fear energizes �Positive nervousness- useful energy

Guidelines for Managing Nervousness: Planning Stage �Choose a topic you know well �Prepare yourself thoroughly �Never memorize a speech �Visualize yourself giving an effective speech • Positive imagery- visualizations of successful actions �Make arrangements (inspect the location)

Guidelines for Managing Nervousness: Planning Stage �Know that shyness is no barrier • (Many introverts have succeeded in show business: Brad Pitt, Nicole Kidman, Jim Carrey, Blake Lively, Johnny Depp, Keira Knightley) �Shift focus from self to audience �Plan visual aids �Devote extra practice to the introduction • After the first minute or two, nervousness eases and the rest is relatively easy

Guidelines for Managing Nervousness: Immediately Before the Speech �Verify equipment and materials �Get acclimated to the audience and setting �Use physical actions to release tension • Take three deep breaths and hold them (To prevent hyperventilating, be sure to inhale and exhale slowly) • Do exercises that can be performed without drawing attention to yourself �(Tighten and relax leg muscles) �(Push arm or hand muscles against a hard object for a few moments and then release) �(Press the palms of your hands against each other)

Guidelines for Managing Nervousness: During the Speech �Pause before you start • Dramatic (builds the audience’s interest and curiosity) • Look poised • Calms you • Look at notes (get first few sentences in your mind) �Deal rationally with your body’s turmoil �Think of communication, not performance �Know that most symptoms are not seen

Guidelines for Managing Nervousness: During the Speech �Never �Don’t �Act let your audience upset you poised �Look � Get mention nervousness or apologize directly at the audience action early in the speech (show of hands)

Guidelines for Managing Nervousness: During the Speech � Eliminate excess energy • Let your hands make gestures • Walk around � Accept imperfection � Welcome experience

Letter Lecture the class by reciting the alphabet. Since this is something you are familiar with, you can concentrate on making eye contact, gesturing for emphasis, and moving around the room. Include inflections on the letters as though you are saying something very meaningful. Try to meet each of your classmates’ eyes at least once. Add your own unique introduction and conclusion to the lecture.

Chapter 2 Review With a partner, answer the following questions. 1. What are five common reasons speakers get nervous? 2. Why is fear beneficial to a speaker? 3. Is shyness a liability for a speaker? 4. How can a speaker reduce excessive tension before a speech? 5. Does an audience detect most of a speaker’s nervous symptoms? 6. What are two things to do during the planning stage to manage nervousness? 7. What are two things to do to manage nervousness before a speech? 8. What are two things to do to manage nervousness during a speech?