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How to Make Your
"Butterflies Fly in Formation"
Nervousness, speech anxiety, stage
fright, platform panic - it's known by many names, but it's a problem every
speaker must confront. Actually, feeling nervous before a speech is healthy.
It shows that your speech is important to you and that you care about doing
well. But unless you can manage and control your nervousness, it can keep you
from becoming an effective speaker.
Here's how you can make your
"butterflies" fly in formation:
- Recognize you're not alone.
- Realize that people want you to
succeed.
- Speak about what you know
Select speech topics that are
within the realm of your knowledge and experience. This will build your
confidence and make you less nervous.
- Prepare thoroughly
If you are well prepared and have
rehearsed your speech you will have more confidence and less anxiety.
- Concentrate on the message - not
the medium
Focus your energy and attention on
your message and your audience and away from your nervousness
- Turn nervousness into positive
energy
The same nervous energy that causes
platform panic can be an asset to you. Harness it, and transform it into
vitality and enthusiasm.
- Gain experience
Experience builds confidence --
your anxieties decrease the more presentations you give.
Adapted from Toastmasters International
Communication and Leadership Program manual.
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