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Controlling Nervousness


In this chapter, you will find the following items:

The nervousness engendered by stage fright is a normal, understandable emotion experienced by most public speakers. The major reasons for speakers' nervousness are (1) fear of being stared at, (2) fear of failure, (3) fear of rejection, and (4) fear of the unknown.

Instead of trying to eliminate nervousness, welcome it as a source of energy. Properly channeled, it can help you give a better speech than you would deliver if you were completely relaxed.

The best way to avoid excessive, crippling nervousness is to pour time and energy into preparing and practicing your speech. Then, when you stand up to speak, deal rationally with your nervous symptoms (such as trembling knees and dry throat); remind yourself that the symptoms are not a prelude to disaster, but instead are evidence that you are keyed up enough to give a good speech. Never call attention to your nervousness and never apologize for it; the listeners don't care about your emotional state—they just want to hear your message. Concentrate on getting your ideas across to the audience; this will get your mind where it belongs—on your listeners and not on yourself—and it will help you move your nervousness to a back burner, where it can still simmer and energize you without hindering your effectiveness.










Gregory Public Speaking 7eOnline Learning Center

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