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CD-ROM Today (UK) (Spanish) 15
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0248
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02486.txt
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1994-01-17
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$Unique_ID{BRK02486}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{How Can I Learn To Speak In Front Of Audiences?}
$Subject{talking fear social phobia speech voice fears community social
problem problems behavior behaviors lifestyle lifestyles work place speak
speaking speeches voices voicing vocal vocalization vocalizations public
audience audiences}
$Volume{Q-23}
$Log{}
Copyright (c) 1992,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
How Can I Learn To Speak In Front Of Audiences?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
QUESTION: Despite all my protest, I have been elected to head up a local
organization. And that means getting up and talking in front of an audience.
I just can't do that. I have dreaded this situation since my days in school,
and can just feeling myself getting sick merely by thinking about it. But I
would like to overcome this fear, once and for all. What can you suggest,
besides professional help?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANSWER: You have already taken a big first step, by recognizing the problem
out in the open, and deciding to do something about. When a fear is as
serious as your seems to be, it is given the name of a "phobia", and your
particular type, though less common than other types, falls under the
classification of "social phobia".
Most everyone has experienced an anxiety before presenting a speech,
reading a poem in class, or singing a jingle in a class show. That's a normal
anxiety, and though difficult to overcome sometimes, usually does not prevent
the individual from participating in the event. Though not absolute
cure-alls, here are some suggestions you might try on your own. Start work on
overcoming the problem by preparing your remarks well ahead of time. Write
your notes legibly, and make them as complete as necessary. You must feel
totally prepared and eradicate any negative thoughts about failing, or messing
up. You know you can always just read your notes to get through the
presentation.
Now rehearse a bit. First, when you are alone. Just say the words out
loud, get used to the sound of your own voice. Now try it in front of a
mirror; see, you are getting better all the time. Next, try a sympathetic
member of your family, just read the material while sitting at the dinner
table, nothing formal about that. You might next try standing up in the
middle of your room, a friend or member of the family as willing audience.
You might want to give it a trial run through, on your own, but in the
actual locale of the meeting. Call it a dress rehearsal. Be patient with
yourself, it takes time to overcome the fears of a lifetime. It can be done,
and you can do it alone. And if not, there is still that professional help
you asked me not to discuss.
----------------
The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.