there are a few keys to try and help you get over your anxiety.
1. Practice...the more you speak, the easier it becomes.
2. ONLY, I mean ONLY, think about what you are talking about. Absolutely nothing else. You don't think about where you are or who is in the room or anything else. TOTAL CONCENTRATION on the subject you are talking about. If you do that, then you aren't think about anything or everyone else.
3. Remember, you are not alone. Many people have difficulty...it doesn't matter how old they are.
4. You build confidence through experience. The experience you get speaking, the better you become.
5. Go back to #2....that is the key. this is taught at a college level in public speaking classes. Make sure you know your subject matter inside and out and think of ONLY what you are talking about.
6. Try it with your family or some very close friends.
Some things you can do:
Practice in front of your family or friends and ask for their honest feedback so you can correct any errors
Make sure you are dressed very sharp as you know most people will be looking at you top to bottom
Practice speaking in front of a mirror
Practice speaking into a recorder and listen back to get used to hearing your voice and make adjustments
Let your audience know you are a little nervous and throw out a few friendly jokes to break the ice
Try doing a presentation with another friend in front of groups until you get confidence to do it alone
I had the exact same issue. My doctor helped me with a simple prescription. It worked very well and helped build my confidence and self esteem. I still use it when I have a large speaking engagement, but most of the time I never need it and it not habit forming or addictive.
Go speak with your Dr about it. It works the first time you take it.
They key is not to try some crutch to get better at public speaking but deal with the inability to speak in front of audiences as a symptom of a larger problem. You are pretty insecure. It shows up in your writing (excessive use of exclamation marks is about trying to use punctuation to make your writing interesting because you don't think it stands on its own). When I speak publicly, it doesn't matter who the audience is I just feel like they are privileged to be able to listen to me and I know more about what I am talking about than anybody there. You need to learn to be confident in yourself and deal with whatever problem is making that not happen.
Today in class we presented and I made a COMPLETE fool of myself!!!! I was up there stuttering and shaking like crazy! You could totally see the paper shaking! Not only were my hands shaking but my whole body! I was trying to control it but I couldn't!!!! Why does this happen? I have presented about 4 other times in other classes and the same thing happens. I'm so embarassed I want to cry!!!! I want to be confident when I present!!!! I want to show people I'm not scared of going up there and presenting! And I especially want to stop shaking so much up there, because I guarantee everyone can see me shaking and tell I'm nervous! Im so embarassed, I'm pretty sure I'm over thinking it and not everyone is judging me but I'm just so insecure that I believe everyone is making fun of me for being so shy and nervous up there!!! So please give so helpful tips. I already have tried taking deep breaths, pretending there my friends, pretending I'm alone, and many other tips but they don't seem to work and I always end up remembering that everyone is closely watching me!!! So please again give me some helpful tips and advice for next time I have to present(2 weeks ????) btw I'm 15 and a girl! I really need to gain confidence so help!!!!!
