Public Speaking

[Gigantic]

I still remember my speech when I was running for year 6 school captain. I was a nervous wreck. I got a lot better over high school though after actually learning about body language, tone of voice and especially eye contact. Even more so once I started uni as I've had to do them very often and especially since I'm doing a few moots and such every year as well.

 

[cartel]

Edit: I have an inkling that benzos have been overtaken by synthetic replacements which don't have the ghastly side effects and rampant addiction attached. Not sure about this though.
.

Do you mean Z-drugs - Zolpidem/Zolpiclone (Stilnox, Imovane etc).

But when the Z-drugs first came onto the market they were pitched as non-addictive by the drug companies, which is not true. They are pretty much the same thing a benzos in practical risk/benefit viewpoint, but have a different chemical structure.

 

[rippersnipper]

I hate being the centre of attention so i don't really like it however I've been told that I'm actaully okay. It depends, if I find the topic interesting then I'll know more about it and thus perform better than if I wasn't as passionate about it

 

[Stratton_Gun]

Hate it. Always end up reading of cue cards. Have a presentation to do in front of the big dicks up stairs too soon so ****

 

[the_interloper]

I've gotten better at it, still not my favourite thing. Practice is the key, doing it as much as you can makes you far better at it. Also practicing the speech you are going to do out aloud helps a lot as well (even though you feel like a flog). For uni last semester we had to do a presentation without notes and with no text on the Powerpoint slides. Was a tough thing to manage but worked really well in the end, you could tell the poor campaigners who hadn't practiced.

 

[Catfish Alley]

I do a lot of presentations for work. Just did one last week for 150 people or so. It's not something I'm natural at but I've learned and had a lot of practice. Everyone has different methods.

Personally, I don't like using notes. It seems much more genuine if I just get up and talk. Sometimes nerves can make you talk faster and miss things. Slowing down and pausing helps get the message across. I usually like to get in early too and just scope the room, get the feel for the stage etc.

 

[craigos]

3 beers and some boner pills to get the blood flowing usually works wonders. Do that a few times and you can do away with the beers.

 

[Speck]

I've got a lot better with it. I really forced myself to learn to wing them in my last year of uni, whenever the tutor asked someone to present I was the first one up there. Has worked wonders.

I find I used to overprepare for it. This made it sound like an essay rather than a speech, now I tend to have an idea of the structure and that's it.

 

[Watchyourwaite]

I used to be nervous AF. But after I did my teaching degree, I got over the fear and actually don't mind it.

I don't do it anymore but it doesn't bother me.

I dont mean to seem like im stalking you or attacking you. But I thought you were in IT?
You told me you couldnt get a job, and you had to do 3 months unpaid work before you could get a job in your field of study.

With a teaching degree, you can always get a job in Australia.

 

[The Lemon]

I dont mean to seem like im stalking you or attacking you. But I thought you were in IT?
You told me you couldnt get a job, and you had to do 3 months unpaid work before you could get a job in your field of study.

With a teaching degree, you can always get a job in Australia.

I did a teaching degree in between finishing IT degree and getting IT job.

Teaching degrees are as worthless as IT. Too many teachers, not enough jobs. You can't just get a job unless you want to go bush, which i didnt want too

 

[Watchyourwaite]

I did a teaching degree in between finishing IT degree and getting IT job.

Teaching degrees are as worthless as IT. Too many teachers, not enough jobs. You can't just get a job unless you want to go bush, which i didnt want too

I completely misunderstood your original story, sorry.

I thought you were saying that you just could not get a job. And so, without any support, on your own, you worked for free for experience, and it helped you get a job.

But what happened, was you lived with your parents while working two part time jobs (one paid), to get a specialised position, that youre still not getting paid properly for.

So. Its good you had the luxury of being able to work for free.
But I still say that unpaid work is not worth it, and is not a viable option if you are on your own.
If you have people who can support you in some way, its possible. But I still dont think its worth it.

 

[iluvparis]

I think a good point is that no one will really know whats in your speech - so if you make a mistake or forget something, just ignore it and keep on going and the audience will generally be none the wiser.

 

[Catfish Alley]

Good point. Usually you hold the power with the subject knowledge. If it's a professional type of presentation you can just clarify if somebody does pick up on the mistake.

 

[Gough]

Public speaking has never bothered me. I'm the 'family spokesperson' at birthdays, funerals etc.

I'm our family's archivist I prepare the notes, and piccys for the speaker, then duties discharged, get pissed.

 

[Bomberboyokay]

Just follow this

 

[footy75]

There is a drug called propananol (sp) which is a beta blocker. People take this before they speak..it calms the nervous system I believe. Not sure how effective it is.

I tried 40mg of propanalol before presenting in front of 60 people yesterday.
Took it 1 hour before speaking.

Amazing stuff. Works wonders.

Thanks Angus. Let There Be Rock.