1. Public Speaking Tips by Mrs. Thomas

2. This does not have to be you!
Everyone can improve their public speaking and beat the fear, you just need to know
the triggers,
the physical responses and
how to beat them with behavioural and cognitive changes
#1 fear in the country is public speaking

3. Triggers Fear of evaluation Uncertainty about situation
Trauma from the past
Environmental factors
Shyness
Triggers

4. Response
FEAR
We need to remember we're not dealing with an intellectual shortcoming, an emotional hang-up, or psychological problem. We're dealing with a physical situation. It's called fight or flight.

5. Response
Now, you remember fight or flight. It's when the caveman is walking around the corner, and he comes face to face with a tiger. And he knows that he's got to be strong enough to fight that tiger off or fast enough to run away.

6. Autonomic Nervous System
Hypothalamus
Fear sends a signal to the brain
Response
Endocrine System
Autonomic Nervous System
ADRENALINE
Thalamus

7. The HULK! Physical Response Adrenaline makes you stronger
Increases your blood flow
Increases your metabolism
Increases your breathing rate
Turns you into
The HULK!
Physical Response
#1 skill managers look for in hiring and promotion is oral communication

8. Behavioural and Psychological Changes
But of course, we don't need that much energy to give a speech. So how are we going to deal with all the energy? Why not just blow it off and skip the speech?
Well, there are at least two reasons. One is for personal growth and the other professional necessity. Think about the personal growth.
Dr. James McCroskey, who has made apprehension a lifelong study, tells us that people who are least afraid of communicating make much higher grades in school. And the opposite-- those who are afraid of communicating don't do as well. And that bleeds over into life skills, too.
Then there's professional necessity. You will give presentations. There's no way around it. You see, the number one skill that managers look for in promotion decisions and hiring decisions is oral communication skills.
Many things can be done to reduce the stress and fear and be successful

9. Behavioural Changes Be prepared – not just the night before!!!
Rehearse
In a mirror
In front of your family
Video tape yourself
Behavioural Changes

10. Behavioural Changes Behave confidently
Behave confidently, even when you are not. PRETEND to be and it will be!
SMILE – instantly relaxes you and sends good hormones to your brain
Stand up straight , shoulders back – you will LOOK confident, body language is HUGE. ACT the part.
Now, the opposite of that is if you're mincing up to the lectern, apologizing non-verbally for even existing, much less giving a presentation, the audience is going to worry about you. And they'll lean forward in their seat. And they'll have a very concerned expression on their face.
And you'll look at them and think, oh, my goodness, what am I doing wrong? They don't seem to be enjoying this. And you'll get more frightened, and they'll get more worried. And all of a sudden, you're going to end up a quivering mess, all of you together.
LOOK the audience in the eye – WHY? – the audience relaxes and that helps you relax! They will smile back, and it becomes a win-win

11. Behavioural Changes Exercise Diet Sleep Deep Breathing
Doctors have told us for years that the best way to deal with stress is to get plenty of physical exercise. Exercise is ideal to deal with your apprehension.
Diet would you try to get to work, if you live 50 miles from work, on an empty gas tank without putting gas in your car? A Cola and two Hershey bars for breakfast aren’t going to get you through the day. And you can't give a presentation on a Jolt Cola and two Hershey bars. Real food feeds the body AND the mind
Sleep Get to bed at a reasonable time. Staying up late cramming doesn’t work because your brain's tired, your body's tired. And you add that a little bit of stress of giving a presentation and sometimes the brain just shuts down. It just won't think.
Deep breathing increases your sense of well-being

12. Cognitive Changes Focus on the audience and the message
FYI – Winston Churchill, one of the greatest speech givers of all time, taking Great Britain and the world through World War II, was traumatized by speaking, but he spoke anyway because he knew his message was more important than his fear

13. Cognitive Changes Focus on positive imagery
Olympic athletes practice positive imagery regularly.
Visualization of success helps you be successful. Visualization of disaster usually precedes disaster.
Train yourself to use positive imagery.

14. Slay the Dragons! Behavioural Changes Worries are the dragons
Usually speaking is not the issue – it is everything else.
Perspiring – dress appropriately, wear crazy good deodorant that day, put it on three times
Rejection/being laughed at – everyone has to do this, they are in your same boat.
Forgetting – use point form notes – rehearse and be prepared
Dry mouth – bring a bottle of water
Think of all the things that worry you and be prepared and visualize positive things – be rational about them
People sympathize
They’re not staring, they’re listening intently!

15. Success is waiting for you!