britia.info

Do you immediately start freaking out when you are asked to give a presentation at work or required to make a class presentation in school? Do you feel like such a situation is one of your worst nightmares because of the fact that you stutter? Would you avoid such situations at all cost? If so, what can you do to manage such situations in the best way you can? Here are some helpful tips for you which you can use during an oral presentation.

Actually before we get into that, let me tell you about a study.

In a study which was done for the general public, public speaking was rated as people’s #1 fear. It was rated higher than death! It is so obvious that this is a huge stress driving situation even for the so called “fluent” speakers, let alone people who suffer from stuttering.

I remember I used to have sleepless nights before a simple oral presentation in class or a work meeting. My mind used to solely focus on two things:

* what to do to avoid the situation… and in case there was no chance to avoid;

* how to totally hide my stutter or at least hide it as much as I can so I don’t make a fool of myself in front of others

…which both were extremely wrong by the way!

So anyways, back to the heart of today’s subject.

What can you do to be able to manage such situations in the best way you can? Here is a list of tips for you which you can start using immediately when it comes to giving a presentation as a person who stutters.

1) Make a humorous start and address your stutter with dignity and strength right in the beginning of the presentation.

2) Use a powerful voice tone. Avoid using a weak tone which will make you hold back.

3) Use a voice tone which is not monotone.

4) Role-play in a section if it is convenient for the specific presentation.

5) Make strong eye contact with your listeners.

6) Act as if you are confident and comfortable in your own skin, a bit on the “cool” side. Your physical state will definitely change your mental state… and both will reflect to your speech.

7) If you are working on a physical speech technique, make sure you use it all through the presentation.

Do not avoid any word. The more you avoid the worse it gets. The best way to defeat it is to face the feared word over and over again and prove yourself that you can say it.

9) If convenient, use humorous visual material in your presentation. That will ease the audience and you’ll feel more relaxed.

10) Focus on the outcome you want to get out of that specific situation, not what others will think about you if you stutter!

Try all or some of these the next time you face with a speaking situation where you are expected to give a presentation and see what kind of results you’ll get… and of course let me know because as I always say, the reason I am here writing this article is you and your success!

“There are two types of speakers; those that are nervous and those that are liars.” Mark Twain

Most of us put public speaking at the top of our list of things to avoid. Then along comes that promotion or new opportunity, and with it, new responsibilities. Among them: communicating, powerfully and effectively in public. Before you rush to get out of that responsibility, consider what it can do for you.

This one ability–communicating ideas powerfully and effectively–can impact professional success more quickly and more absolutely than nearly any other. Become an effective communicator, and you will solidify a reputation as an effective leader. Yet many otherwise accomplished executives never learn to communicate well and take pains to avoid having to speak in public at all.

That’s a lot of wasted opportunity. You can’t expect your ideas to be considered or followed, much less admired, if they’re not communicated well.

Speaking to a group, even a small group that knows you, can be an intimidating. No one has yet died in the effort. We can all get past our fear of public speaking with practice. The important thing is to understand the power you have, that we all have, to communicate effectively. Here are some tips for powerful public speaking:

–Don’t hide behind charts, graphs and power point slides. Despite the cliche, facts don’t speak for themselves. Materials can only support your communication, not substitute for it.

–Accept the “public” part of public speaking. Speeches and presentations delivered before an audience really are about you and your ability to connect. If you’re bored, your audience will be as well. Find the passion in your work and build your presentation or speech around it.

–Put real effort into the question and answer period following your speech or presentation. For many in the audience, it’s their chance to connect with you and you to them.

–Make sure your public speech or presentation isn’t simply a recitation of the facts. Your audience could get that from you in an email. What any audience wants is your perspective. Always provide a context for the data or information you provide.

–Never go long. Any performer knows it’s best to leave them wanting more. Make sure you have something your audience can take home with them to think about.

–Don’t forget to speak ABOUT something. Your main points should be clearly stated and they’ll be back. Before long, you’ll be wondering how you ever considered public speaking something to avoid!

Above all, practice, practice, practice. Don’t run from public speaking opportunities–embrace them–and the power they have to promote your professional success.