Are you about to stand in front of more than 300 people or a group of people(if it is to much)?Do you have a weird feeling in your stomach?Are you about to wet your pants because your so nervous? Well I know I did(except for wetting that would be weird), speaking in front of the people ,being paranoid, thinking "Why are they smiling?Why do they whisper at each other?Maybe there is something wrong in my face?What are they thinking?What are those tomatoes for?". For all the thought I had, every single one of them is distracting me but I have a secret to overcome this. You want to know what is my secret? Here are some helpful secret I learned of fighting a stage fright scenario.
#1. Be prepared.(like a boss)
If you want success in your report or discussion always always prepare your things.Your presentation and the flow of your topic,it is the crucial part it is the main dish.Always plan your gesture(although you might forget some of it). Bottom line is prepare the things you need like the slides and all the...(you know what I mean).
#2. Study and understand it before the big day.
Studying your lesson increases the chance that you will nail it,even though you understand the concept this is not enough since ever detail and little information about your lesson gives it flavor.
#3. Review your work 30 minutes before the presentation
Reviewing the lesson the 30 minutes before the your big report is necessary. "Why" you say? Because people don't have a perfect retention rate,some of the ideas you had yesterday will fade, you just can't avoid it,it's just how it work,that's because our mind is working properly(you should be thankful). It will help you relax and also it will help you compensate the details and stimulate your brain activity.
#4. Avoid Scripts (Unless if you're having a speech)
Some of you might think bringing bulky script is good,(you will look like that dude up there)wrong that's not good you should totally avoid it.You might wonder why? Why because it is not a drama or a play that needs a script it is teaching something you know and also it's a matter of impression, when people see you bringing a script reading them in front of them(like a retarded seal), they will think that you are not prepared.They can feel that you suck and that you don't know what your doing and that would be bad,bad because people will not listen.If there a need to bring a script,please avoid reading them in front of them.
#5. Stop reading your whole slides.
Stop reading the whole slide you just made(e.g. Power Point presentation). This is not for you to read it is for them,and of course they can read it too.People will feel bad about this, as if your just teaching them how to read. If you are to read the line you must explain it, it is bad enough that they are they hearing your lousy voice reading those boring article that they can't understand and obviously they can read it(unless if they can't see your presentation that's another story).
#6 Gesture like a sir
Gesture can also give an impact to the audience. By a simple wave of your hand while discussing things,the people will empathize and will feel that you really know what your doing. It also relieves tensions and nervousness, it calms you down.Note: to much gesture can be disastrous so use it wisely.Just imagine if you wave your hands randomly every 1 second, that would be confusing and stupid. Take note that mannerism is different from gestures.Avoid mannerism like scratching your balls,scratching your hair and all those annoying mannerism.
#7. Just Chill
This is the most important thing you should remember, always make yourself comfortable.If you are not comfortable all those things above will not work, no matter what you do. Do not worry about the people in front of you, if you commit mistakes and they laugh let them laugh it's a motivator people learn faster if they are motivated(don't get discourage). If you're nervous of their faces just imagine that they are a bunch of carrots or anything that makes your smile. Just take a deep breathe and exhale and clear your thoughts about bad things that can distort your focus and don't ever forget this, always smile even if your face is in a bad shape .
So here are my tips, I'm not the greatest public speaker in fact I am still new in this field, I just want to share things which is effective when I'm having a report or etc.I acquire this things through the help of my teacher and most important of them all experience. If it's still your first time then good luck.
