Try some of thses ideas. Many work very well.
SPEECH COURSE
Mesivta Ateres Yaakov
IN ADVANCE OF A SPEECH
Fear, nervousness and stage fright are conditions usually present prior to the speech and actually diminish significantly once the presentation has begun.
It is a GOOD sign that one is nervous. It indicates a healthy respect for the audience and the task at hand. Even great speakers have enormous stage fright. In addition nervous energy can be converted to positive energy if the source of the nervousness is not doubt and defeatism. Reflexes are actually sharpened by the tenseness.
How can one channel the adrenaline generated by the nervous system to be positive?
1- TRY TO WORK UP AN ENTHUSIASM FOR THE TOPIC.
A-It makes you feel you have what to contribute to the audience
B- It endows you with a confidence which feeds off the nervous energy.
C- Once you begin, the audience will be active listeners and transmit their enjoyment to you, the speaker.
2- PUT ON A GOOD FACE
A-Nonverbal cues affect the audience
B-The external has an effect on the internal. (Ex. Wearing a sports uniform to a formal wedding or a tuxedo to gym.) It alters the internal by expressing the feeling that the internal really wants you to have.
3-YOU ARE IN CHARGE
You are the one who is going to set the tone. You are responsible for the mood transmitted to the group. Try to feel the responsibility of the group and not focus on your individual experience. Look beyond yourself.
4- IMAGERY
5-KNOW THAT THE AUDIENCE IS ROOTING FOR YOU TO SUCCEED.
IN than majority of situations our audience wants you to succeed. They do not want to walk away feeling it was a waste of time. All research indicates that the audience roots for the speaker to succeed. Look at the audience in positive framework. (If they did not want you to succeed would they come to hear you?)
6- DO NOT DIVULGE
7-BE PREPARED
8- Practice the speech so that you are very familiar with it.
Make sure that you are strongly familiar with your material and its organization within the speech and you know clearly what you are going to say and what you are NOT going to say. Be clear as to what the opening, body and conclusion contain. Make sure the speech/lecture is not only appropriate, but engages the listener and feeds their interest. It will help you feel confident.
9- FOOD CONCERNS
Be careful of what you eat prior to the speech if, you able to eat! Avoid foods which give digestion problems, gas or heartburn. Avoid foods which increase saliva (all type of nuts, spicy foods) and avoid most cheese/ dairy products.
AT THE TIME OF THE SPEECH
1- Burn off some excess energy by doing some physical exercise. It is good for oxygen flow, blood flow and for your mind as well.
2- Still nervous? Sit in a chair and let your body go limp – total flexibility and looseness. Then starting with your toes, tighten up each muscle in your body until you reach your neck. Then loosen up slowly reversing the process. You can do this 2- times and feel relaxed and in touch.
5- Do not hold mike. Do not hold your notes in your hand.
6- Avoid holding anything in our hands, especially a cup of liquid.
7- If you are very nervous, shift your weight between you feet and partially lean on the lectern until it subsides.
8- Know that nervousness subsides once you start to speak until a point when it almost disappears.
9- PRAY!