les Stress -> Questions & Answers

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THE PUBLIC SPEAKING STRIP SHOW

Dear Les,

I am hoping that you can help me.  I get really freaked out when I have to get up in front of an audience to speak.  I don’t really get anxious about it before, but as soon as I step in front of them, it’s like I exit my own body and it feels like I haven’t even prepared (which I always do).  What is going on and what can I do?

Stuck

Dear Stuck,

You might as well go up there and take your clothes off, because whether you’re speaking or stripping, everyone’s looking at you and they’re waiting to be entertained.  The outer-body journeys you report surely float on the stress hormones released by this challenge, one that frazzles even the best-prepared presenters.

Speaking experience is the best way to get your freak off, and since there’s no better skill-builder than headlining in front of a live audience, get invited to talk at schools, organizations, hospitals and other venues right for your topic.  Local and national public speaking groups and associations also provide practice opportunities. Short of a live crowd, present to your cat, test out material with friends and film yourself in the act--and rework based on what you and others observe.

When you’re not performing for your pets and pals, pretend you are because mental rehearsal can calm your nerves when it really is show time.  It takes some effort, but imagine yourself presenting in 3-D, HD and surround-sound.  Listen to and watch yourself speak from the audience’s point of view.  Then, talk, look at the audience, move around and click to the next slide from your perspective as speaker.  If you know the space you’ll be speaking in, put yourself there for greater virtual reality.  Lead pretend talks when you’re making dinner, waiting on hold, working out and falling asleep.

If you can’t lick this speaking stress even with practice, pretence or other stress management strategies, you might talk with a health care provider about calming medications, especially if these “strip shows” are regular gigs.  The archived Q&A, Jock’s Strapped Stomach has other tips that you may find revealing.

Les
9/07