Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Ask HN: How to get rid of speech anxiety?

news.ycombinator.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

11–16 of 16 posts

Re: Ask HN: How to get rid of speech anxiety?

#11

Post by chckn »

aerialcombat wrote: post #7

For me, I had trouble when I thought those on the otherside were there to judge me and my performance as a speaker. But when I realised they are just there to listen and that it's ok if I F up, things got easier. It might help if you start with a smile and look through the eyes of each and every individual and see that they are smiling back at you. And also it's just like speaking in one-on-one situation.

I'm pretty sure it is fear of being judged. I try to convince myself that most people are open and positive towards me. If you would ask me I'd tell you that most people are even sympathetic towards me in case I panic, stutter, or somehow f'up a presentation. But as soon as I'm in such a situation rationality is gone.

Re: Ask HN: How to get rid of speech anxiety?

#12

Post by walterbell »

chckn wrote: post #11
aerialcombat wrote: post #7

For me, I had trouble when I thought those on the otherside were there to judge me and my performance as a speaker. But when I realised they are just there to listen and that it's ok if I F up, things got easier. It might help if you start with a smile and look through the eyes of each and every individual and see that they are smiling back at you. And also it's just like speaking in one-on-one situation.

I'm pretty sure it is fear of being judged. I try to convince myself that most people are open and positive towards me. If you would ask me I'd tell you that most people are even sympathetic towards me in case I panic, stutter, or somehow f'up a presentation. But as soon as I'm in such a situation rationality is gone.

Find a couple of friends to be a sympathetic audience, then give your 90-second speech as a description of the emotions and reactions that are running through your head. Describe them in real time, use the emotions as fuel instead of reasoning with them.

From "Impro", http://www.amazon.com/Impro-Improvisation-Theatre-Keith-John...

"... Once you learn to accept offers, then accidents can no longer interrupt the action. When someone's chair collapsed, Stanislavsky berated him for not continuing, for not apologising to the character whose house he was in. This attitude makes for something really amazing in the theatre. The actor who will accept anything that happens seems supernatural; it's the most marvellous thing about improvisation: you are suddently in contact with people who are unbounded, whose imagination seems to function without limit."

Re: Ask HN: How to get rid of speech anxiety?

#13

Post by itzfx »

The way I got over this kind of anxiety was to lead a study group in college. The people in the study group were already friends so it wasn't as stressing, but during the study group sessions, I made it my responsibility to lead the group. At first it was... unnerving, but definitely not as bad as it was with people I didn't know as well.

So maybe you should start with some friends that you're more comfortable with (not professional acquaintances) but in a different context than just hanging out?

Re: Ask HN: How to get rid of speech anxiety?

#14

Post by sondring »

onion2k wrote: post #2

For me, there weren't magic solutions. The only thing that worked was to practise with small groups and work up to bigger groups.

Same for me, though I bet joining toastmasters would have helped. I started small and worked up from there. A few tips are to really know back and forth the material you are covering. Another is to mask nerves with enthusiasm. A few years ago my boss made me give a 45 minute long presentation to a team of ~ 10 engineers. I was freaked out, but it ended up going well. I had a slide deck that I rehearsed with my manager and went over may times. I also included several jokes in it. Since then I've been able to lead weekly meetings with the same number of people. I even gave an all hands presentation to ~35 people. Good luck.

Re: Ask HN: How to get rid of speech anxiety?

#15

Post by chckn »

walterbell wrote: post #12
chckn wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm pretty sure it is fear of being judged. I try to convince myself that most people are open and positive towards me. If you would ask me I'd tell you that most people are even sympathetic towards me in case I panic, stutter, or somehow f'up a presentation. But as soon as I'm in such a situation rationality is gone.

Find a couple of friends to be a sympathetic audience, then give your 90-second speech as a description of the emotions and reactions that are running through your head. Describe them in real time, use the emotions as fuel instead of reasoning with them. From "Impro", http://www.amazon.com/Impro-Improvisation-Theatre-Keith-John... "... Once you learn to accept offers, then accidents can no longer interrupt the action…

That quote resonates with me. Besides fear of judgment another part of my problem is acceptance I believe.
Post reply on HN