I hate public speaking!

I was forced into a public speaking contest in my school. I was so scared and I hated even the idea of it. Needless to say, it didn't go well. Now, forty years later, I can look back on a life of stage acting (pantomimes) and working as a stand up comedian. There just might be something to be gained by the experience.

I remember my self doing lots of reports on school because i excel with them, I don't feel nervous about it since its my strength but something I cant do would be solving a Math problem in the board and explain it. I am comfortable making reports in Biology,History, English and literature but I cant explain a formula solution written in the board and I cant solve it neither. In a way I love being on stage in front of many people. I think my way of getting over it, is by thinking no one is listening to me. That I am the only man in the world, those eyes piercing to me are nothing but air and those ears listening is nothing but mist. Another way of mine is trying to let lose, I dont care if I make a mistake or not, I just want to make those people enjoy my presentation regardless if its perfect or not.

I feel you! I also hate public speaking. I maintained a low profile during my college days cause I didnt want to be chosen to do some public speaking cause they give me the creeps and I hate the idea that people are looking at me while I am therein front of them nervous.

I can totally relate! I hate public speaking too... :( And, I had an entire semester of a public speaking course for me to get over the fear is that I don't care about anyone in the class cause I don't and no one knows me & after the class is over, life isn't over so that's how I get through my public speaking classes :P No ones going to know me after this class so it makes me more confident plus I recite before I give the speech at home to be more prepared and when I give a speech I know no ones going to listen to me except the teacher so I don't care :P Honestly, no one pays attention. Good luck next time on your speeches!!

Ahhh...Another one who shares my Waterloo. I hate public speaking because I never really get the hang of it even though I tried multiple times. I guess I am really more comfortable working behind the scenes, out sight and limelight. Another good reason why I am better at writing to the point that, in groups, I am always willing to write everything (which my fellow team members hate to do) rather than stand in front of people and open my mouth. Though speaking is essential to communication, I am really bad at it. I don't stutter but I often tend to ramble more than necessary. A good thing for conversations but not for presentation or reports. I guess the only time when I do speak is when I am required to do so. I don't know but I kinda hate it when people look or stare at me as if there are expecting something. They are but I felt I was food with all of their attention and stares. I try to do eye contact but I limited it to a certain part of the audience. Other than that my eyes stick to the board or the outline that I made.

Identify a few close friends spread in different corners in the class, and read as if you are reading to them, switching views from one friend to another. You don't need many targets, just 4 for each corner of the room so that it does not appear that you are fixated on a stare. All the best in your next reading presentation.

hello keisha, Do you mean reading in public? I also get nervous when reading something in public,or like reading a memo or notes in front of many people. I can talk without notes or copy,in public...but reading makes me nervous..and i don't why,as if my tongue were tied and i can't read the words correctly ...

To get use to public speaking, there are only way, that is to speak more in the public, the more public speaking you did, the better you will be with it. There are always good to make yourself calm by taking a deep breath before you start your talk, and as always, preparation is important, you must know what you are talking but not just read from the paper, if you do not know what you are talking to them, you will get nervous. So, it is important for you to get prepare of what topic you want to talk and what point you going to tell, it is good to have 2 ways interaction such as asking question to the people, and of course you need to prepare you own answer just in case no one answer your question, do not let the talk stop or pulse too long. Too long of silent will make you nervous too, do try to add some humor to your talk and that will also reduce the tense situation during your talk even you are talking about something serious.

Me too... Public Speaking makes me tremble... I already attended series of workshops and training regarding this but I'm still not successful. I am much better in writing than in talking...

Me too keshia, it seems that I always feel I'll be nervous, sweating and can't describe exactly what is it in my head. Yes, the words that came out is going to be different than what I've planned to say. And I feel that when speaking in my own languange, can you imagine if someone ask me to give a speech in english? one thing for sure: twisted tongue...

If you want to become proficient in public speaking you should do it more often so that you will get used to it and the nervous feeling will soon be alleviated.

You seem to be pretty less in confidence. So after compleating the practice one or two days before the speech just put on a video recorder and give the speech the same way you would give and after completion you just go through it. You can judge yourself the best and if you do it nicely it will increase your confidence, so you will be more free. If it is hard for you to judge yourself you should take the help of your friend to make you learn about what mistakes you do in speech. Even if you are perfect at speech alone this thing will increase your confidence, which is a must in public proceedings.

i can say that public speaking is also probably one of my weaknesses.. just the thought of having all of those people listening to you make my heart beat fast and my hands sweaty.. it's probably because i think too much.. i would also think, what if i say the wrong things or words, or what if my grammar is not right, or what if i pronounce a word incorrectly, worse what is all that i'm saying is not making sense at all.. and that's my problem, i worry a lot thus lowering my confidence.. then, i realized i have to do something about this.. i decided to read more books to get broaden my idea.. i also read them aloud so as to hear my own voice and the way i say things.. this built up my confidence and now i can say that i have improved.. i cannot say that all of those nervousness is gone.. but now, i know better how to control it.. just take deep breaths, believe in yourself, and be yourself! good luck in your future public speakings..

Hey Keshia... It's kinda relating actually, I was on your shoe way back college life. When it comes on reporting, duh!! i hate it actually. But the mere fact is you will get it over when you wear with you your confidence. Smile to the public, ti your listener, interact with them and when they're reacting back, you'll feel comportable. Then be calm, treat them as one of your friends. Talk naturally, understand your topic so you can derive lots of ideas from it. Hope this could help...

Like you, that's my weakness, speaking in front of the crowd. But one time I tried to conquer that fear of mine, and it feels so great to overcome my weakness. So if i were you, try to conquer it, and believe me, its amazing, the feeling of winning against something you really hated. Try to imagine that the crowd is just your listener that are interested of what you will be talking. Feel your audience so that you will more comfortable of talking, and try to be confident to what you want to say.

Your main problem is that when you are giving a speech you keep on thinking hours about it. You seem to be pretty less in confidence. So after compleating the practice one or twn days before the speech just put on a video recorder and give the speech the same way you would give and after completion you just go through it. You can judge yourself the best and if you do it nicely it will increase your confidence, so you will be more free. If it is hard for you to judge yourself you should take the help of your friend to make you learn about what mistakes you do in speech. Even if you are perfect at speech alone this thing will increase your confidence, which is a must in public proceedings.