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How can I overcome the fear of giving presentations/speeches in front of many people?

10 May 2010 5 Comments
queen asked:


Help please! I am very shy I terrified of giving presentations & speeches in front of my class. I get very nervous & can’t even speak. My heartbeat races so fast that I’m breathless & can’t calm down. Please give me tips on how to overcome this fear and have a successful speech.

5 Comments »

  • Hannah G said:

    PICTURE THEM NAKED!!!!! jkjk…..that doesn’t work, you just have to get used to it it and think that your talking to a bunch of your friends and not strangers. That really is the only way. There is no magic answer.

  • Jayasri devi dasi said:

    Shyness is a natural feminine quality so don’t give that up, it is very attractive and natural. But the fear can be transcended by praying before you speak and also try to be focused spiritually. It is the only thing that works for me.

  • T.M.Kirk said:

    don’t look directly into their eyes. Look at the middle of their foreheads. Eye contact can often distract your mental focus and cause you to stumble over your words.

  • mno l said:

    u give ur presentation first in front of ur family
    first time u fell fear , u are unable to speak
    it is first step of speaking
    do not fear what people think about u or talking about u
    u speak
    take proper pause in between.
    see in eyes of ur family members one bye one while speaking
    if u get confidence or even if u not get confedence u do
    then give presentation in front of ur best friend
    after that give in front of people
    do not worry of unsucess or laughing of people
    at first time ur voice may break u forgot words but it is natural
    try to overcome at every presentation
    nobody can give best presentation in first speach
    best of luck
    if u wan talk with me

  • Feinschmecker said:

    Know your subject. If you get the choice of subject, choose something you are interested in. If someone else prescribes the subject, then do your research thoroughly.

    Remember the old political adage —
    Outline what you are going to say
    Tell them your message
    Sum up what you have told them.

    In other words

    1. Give a brief introduction to your subject, outlining what you want to tell them

    2. Give the meat of your talk. Make three basic points and elaborate a bit on each of them. No less than three. No more than three (though of course you have minor sub-points). The fact is that the human mind finds it easiest to hold on to three points. And that applies to both you and your audience.

    3. Sum up very briefly, reminiding them of the implications of each of the three major points you have made.

    You can easily have your three headings on a very small card — (or even written on your hand!) — to aid your memory.

    If eye contact is impossibly difficult or distracting at this stage, until you get more experience, focus on a point just immediately above the head of the back row of your audience.

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