Anxiety and Speech Delivery

(A Toastmaster Basic Speech)

Ladies and Gentlemen,

        As Toastsmasters and Toastmasters to be,  it goes without saying that we are at least  familiar with aspects that go along with speech-making and speech delivery....you know: - choosing a subject matter, analyzing your audience, writing the speech, rehearsing it  and then delivering it....... together with all the varied aspects that kinda mingle with all those strands.....making that seemingly simple thing called speech  actually complicated.  But not really complicated for you,  fellow Toastmasters.

       Now  let me for my task tonight deal with some aspects of the anxiety that normally go with speech delivery.  The terms 'fear of public speaking',  'nervousness', 'anxiety',  apparently all point to the same thing but this is quite normal and  - even expected - and good, because it stimulates us.  Both beginning and seasoned speakers have experienced anxiety, which only means that you and I may not be exempted from this. Nonetheless, to be a good public speaker, you need to be at ease and to be able to project a sense of calm authority. Then  will your audience be able to relax and come along for the ride. The following you probably already know but I am certain will also be useful to recall and to remember. So let's have them:

           First:  Prepare well – Lack of preparation and organization can cause anxiety.  If you have uncertainties about how carefully you prepared your speech, the thought will make you insecure; - therefore, do your homework well and feel that confidence grow out of the knowledge that you indeed have prepared well.

           Second:  Practice -  There is much value in rehearsing your piece. Do it as much as you can.  Pretend either in the confines of your room or in the company of a friend or friends that this is the real thing.  Pretend you are in front of an audience, listen to how you sound until you like the way you sound and the way you feel as you pretend delivering your piece,  - then try to remember this feeling when you stand in front of your real audience and it will sustain you.

           Third:  Walk briskly to the platform/lectern – Walk directly, exude a sense of confidence and eagerness to impart something significant to your audience.  Don’t shuffle along the way or glance nervously at anybody at all.  And when you reach the lectern,  take a deep breath, smile just a little as you give your listeners a sweeping glance before you start your speech.

            Fourth  Concentrate on the message -  Put your attention on the communication task that is before you rather than on whatever nervousness you feel.  Put priority on the significant message you have to put across rather than on the less significant feeling of anxiety you might have.

            Fifth: Focus on relaxing – As you breathe, tell yourself ‘I am relaxed.’ over and over again as you try to clear your mind of anything else but the message on hand. A trick might be to imagine looking at each and everyone in the audience as naked so that you will feel superior to them. Think that they are naked while you are clothed and so you are in control.

            and Sixth: Use movement to release tension  -  Should you feel any shaking or trembling, walk to another location, use the chalkboard, gesture. You could take a few steps, either side-to-side or toward the audience. If you are speaking from a lectern, you can get down from it and later get back to it.  Allow your muscles to flex by tightening them slowing starting from your feet up to your legs, stomach, chest, shoulders and then release the tension as quietly and as naturally as you can so nobody notices what you are doing.

          And whatever you do, keep your nervousness to yourself.  You never actually look or sound as bad as you think you do so you don’t need to tell your audience about it.  Chances are they will never know you are nervous unless you tell them yourself.

       So what are those few that you might need to  remember? We could have them again:

                Prepare well and feel that confidence grow out of that knowledge that you are prepared.
                Practice until you like the way you sound and feel as you are pretending that you are already
                                    delivering your speech and then remember this feeling as you stand in front of
                                    your real audience.
               Walk briskly to the platform to excude a sense of confidence and an eagerness to impart value.
               Concentrate on the message rather than on the less significant feeling of anxiety.
               Focus on relaxing.  clear your mind of anything but the message - remember the trick...
               Use movement as naturally as you can...

        And that movement, I should start doing right now as I also start to look for our

Mister Toastmaster......