Public speaking makes me very apprehensive!! Just the thought of having to organize a speech and then stand up in front of the class to present it, makes me nervous!! I have no problem talking to people in one on one settings or a few people, etc. But talking to a group of people somehow makes it more intimidating. I believe that I have a little bit of speech anxiety- which is the fear of speaking in front of an audience. Before, during, and after a speech, speakers experience a wide range of sensations and behaviors that spring from the internal cause of nervousness. This pretty much sums me up! I get nervous just preparing and then sitting waiting for my turn and then when it's my turn I feel anxious and feeling like I'm going to totally forget everything that I prepared. When the presentation is over I feel a sense of relief, but tend to analyze what I did and think I could have done better. I know that these feelings are very natural since so many people experience them; I just wish they didn't happen to me! I hope that by taking this class I can learn to help cope with these feelings and focus them on the speeches and have more confidence. In the book it talks about habituation- which is fearing a situation less as it becomes more familiar, or habit-like. I'm hoping that this will happen for me. I want public speaking to be more of a habit than a fear!
You are completely right! All of those feelings are perfectly natural and happen to everyone! I am willing to bet that even the most confident speaker in the world has even the tiniest little bit of nervousness, anxiety, or apprehension right before they get up to speak in front of a large audience. This CAN be good because these elevated emotions can lead to a thoughtful, energetic, and effective speech if channeled properly. Also, no matter how perfect your speech turns out, as a human being you will analyze it and think of what you could've done better. Not only is this natural, but it is an extremely helpful tool in fine tuning your speaking abilities. If you are always analyzing yourself and figuring out what you could've done better, than you will be applying your findings and constantly improving. It's good that you recognize that these feelings are natural because many people don't, and then they allow these feelings to cripple them, rather than accepting them. Oh, and don't worry, habituation will occur. In most every facet of life you become more comfortable with something the more times you do it. You can do it!! :)
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