tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8231037340068853572.post5467350377885724116..comments2009-10-18T15:05:29.731-05:00Aaron J. Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840595156757109496noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8231037340068853572.post-81251891282756470972009-10-18T15:05:29.731-05:002009-10-18T15:05:29.731-05:00Two pieces of advice turned me from a ready-to-die speaker into one with some confidence (having given sermons in church a number of times over the last 22 years.) <br /><br />First is that somebody told me that when you feel anxious while speaking, you may be exhaling more than inhaling, so pause and breathe. That is a big help. I suppose a corollary of this is speak somewhat slower than normal, so that you do breathe correctly.<br /><br />The second suggestion somebody told me is that I need to imagine, in advance, the worst thing that could happen while I&#39;m up there. Then whatever does happen won&#39;t be as bad as my imagination. The suggestion helped, only because I can look back on two bad things that did happen. Once, the portable mike squealed terribly and wouldn&#39;t quit. The other time, I got up and had no voice, only a hoarse whisper. I didn&#39;t know that was coming. But people had to pay very close attention, so it actually helped. The lesson is that I survived, not that these were the worst possible things.<br /><br />But mainly, I have just had anxiety while I&#39;m preparing ahead of time, so it is mostly gone by the time I stand up there. However, extemporaneous speaking still almost strangles me, especially because I don&#39;t do it unless I&#39;m really emotionally involved when I find that necessary.PS (PSanafter-thought)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01977264499770654307noreply@blogger.com