Business English:
How to Beat Presentation
Panic
For some people, the Fear of
Public Speaking is the
biggest fear of all.
If you panic at the
thought of making a
presentation, you are not
alone. Several studies have
shown that public speaking
is the thing that people
fear most – more than
snakes, flying, dentists, or
even death. That means that,
at a funeral, most people
would rather be in the
coffin than making the
eulogy!
How can you get over this
fear?
Here are some tips:
1. Get there early. Make
sure you get familiar with
the room. Stand where you
are going to give your
presentation until you begin
to feel relaxed standing
there. Try the
audiovisual equipment you
will be using.
2. Introduce yourself to as
many members of the audience
as you can before you start.
This helps turn the audience
into a group of friendly
faces rather than a wall of
strangers.
3. While you are doing
this, pick out a couple of
‘friendly faces’. During the
presentation, maintain
regular eye-contact with
your ‘new friends’.
4. Keep a photo of a child,
a spouse or a pet near you.
Look at it from time to time
for reassurance.
5.
Breathe deeply and
rhythmically. This will
bring oxygen into your
system, relax your throat
and help you breath more
slowly.
6. Act confidently even if
you are not feeling
confident. You will find
yourself becoming confident.
7. Wear a rubber band around
your wrist. Snap it if you
are feeling negative
thoughts.
8. Remember that it will
soon be over. The 20 minute
average presentation
is not very long in your
lifetime!
Best of all:
Do
what the author of this
website did to conquer his
fear: Join ToastMasters!
They will have you speaking
so often - to a group of
friendly and supportive
people - that you will soon
lose your fear.
It is
easier than you think!
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