How do you feel about public speaking?

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Fun Size

Fun Size

Today over at DLOG, I put together a bunch of helpful public speaking tips. Knowing this is an extremely common fear, I thought I'd see how you all deal with it. Who here enjoys public speaking? Who is terrified of it?

Myself, I love talking, and having a bunch of people listening only makes it better. That, and I gave up my fear of making an ass of myself years ago (which I'm sure you've all figured out by my behavior around these parts).
 
Dave

Dave

Staff member
Love it. LOVE it. If I could make my living speaking in public I would, whether this is as a motivational speaker or stand-up comedian or even a talk show host. I'd be all over it.
 
Gusto

Gusto

I like doing it for a few minutes, but then I get sick of the sound of my voice. The only way I'll keep going is if I'm really into what I'm talking about, such as when I'm DMing a D&D campaign. Not exactly public speaking, but I DO present my ideas and stories to a group of 5-7 people at the front of a classroom for 3-4 hours.
 
Shannow

Shannow

Staff member
No problem with it. Love it. any class I had for it throughout highschool and college I would ace. One of the reasons I originally went to radio communications was because I love speaking.
 
Ross

Ross

Staff member
I love public speaking :) The thing I found that I found I always have to do to feel most comfortable is to make sure I know whatever I'm speaking about in-and-out, especially for things like class research and projects. It just makes talking about it much easier, and makes me feel a lot more comfortable not having to worry about the possibility of having to bullshit any of it.
 
Shakey

Shakey

I used to like it. I really enjoyed giving presentations and doing training sessions.

I have always had a bit of a shake, and it's gotten worse lately. It gets even worse when I am even the slightest bit nervous. Now when I get up in front of a group I can tell that my head starts to shake a bit. That just sets off a chain reaction and I get even more nervous and self-conscious about it. So it's not quite so enjoyable any more.
 
Fun Size

Fun Size

I had the same problem with shaking hands. It turned out the issue was trying to stand still. I've learned to talk a lot more with my hands, and since then it hasn't been a problem.
 
Ross

Ross

Staff member
Fun Size said:
I had the same problem with shaking hands. It turned out the issue was trying to stand still. I've learned to talk a lot more with my hands, and since then it hasn't been a problem.
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Hmmm... I'll have to try this next time. I've also had a problem with shaky hands.
 
Shakey

Shakey

For me it's an all the time deal. I can't pick up a full glass of water without spilling it all over the place.
 
Adam

Adam

Used to love it in theatre. Grew up. Sat behind a desk for too long and started hating it. New job, required me to do presentations in front of VPs and Boards of Directors, started getting better at it. Now don't mind it.

Discovered I'd rather be standing up giving a presentation than sitting down doing it.
 
S

SeraRelm

I don't like it. Not afraid of it, I just would rather not bother unless I had to. I prefer conversation over monologues.
 
Math242

Math242

I don't mind it. I do it when i have too and that's it.

But i make sure i am prepared: ie learn/review my subject.

I hate making a fool of myself
 
Vytamindi

Vytamindi

For people my age or over, I have a tough time. With my kids, I can't shut up!!!

It makes duty so much more enjoyable when I can chat with some of my kids about their level 50 paladin while scanning the playground than to just stand there and do nothing.
 
W

Wasabi Poptart

Terrified. I can handle one-on-one or small groups. Any more than a handful of people makes me want to hide under the podium.
 
N

nufan

I used to hate it, still do to some degree. I think it's more because I like having a conversation than a one way speech, but at some point I got over the most of my fears and can do it.

Also I find my degree of fear directly correlates with my level of knowledge on the subject.
 
fade

fade

Staff member
Who's erection does it give you?

Also, I used to be terrified of it. But now I do it every day, so it's no big deal. Though, I still get a little shaky when I go in front of people I view as knowing more about my material than I do.
 
Q

Qonas

I love public speaking. My second job is all public speaking and it's great. Of course, it helps to get over that natural fear of it when you were captain of the debate team all 4 years in high school and HAD to get over it. :p
 
MindDetective

MindDetective

No problem public speaking in most cases. I wouldn't say I love it but I don't fear or hate it either. I am a bit nervous at the possibility of presenting in front of experienced colleagues in my field, though but not for the public part or the speaking part but the critical analysis of my ideas part...
 
drawn_inward

drawn_inward

I dislike it quite a bit. When I am prepared and know the material thoroughly I do okay. I speak way, way too fast.

I get quite nervous the night before, and feel a bit ill all the way up to the talk. Once I start, I go into some sort of trance, and the audience kind of slips away. People could start flipping me the bird and I wouldn't even notice. When I finished, it's a blur.

I'm fine in front of a class or lab meetings, but giving talks (especially scientific ones), I get a bit antsy.
 
R

rabbitgod

I like it when it's a larger group, especially if I don't know anybody.

Smaller groups always freak me out.

I don't have to do it very often so that may color my opinion.
 
ZenMonkey

ZenMonkey

When I was eight years old, I starred in our school play "Really Rosie." During my big opening solo, I fell right down three stairs leading up to the stage. The collective gasp of an auditorium full of parents and friends forever rings in my head. I got back up and kept singing.

Never had a fear of public speaking. After that incident, the fear of embarrassing myself in front of a big crowd of people seemed silly since I'd already done about the best job possible.
 
Rob King

Rob King

One of my proudest moments in High School was a project on warfare in literature. We had to do a paper and a display for it, and I got everything finished. Then, the teacher asked me if I was ready to present to the class.

I hadn't realized that we were supposed to present, and she said it was okay, I could do it the next day if I preferred. I told her I'd rather get it done with. No preparation, or notes to look off of, I gave what ended up being a ten minute presentation plus questions. Not a huge thing, but it was a pretty big deal at the time. And the weirdest part was: I loved it. (It was weird because that's just not who I thought I was in high school. I was fairly charismatic one-on-one, but my self-preservation philosophy was to fly under the radar when in crowds)

I like public speaking as long as I know my topic. I do need to prepare a little bit, but if all else fails, I can usually do decent off the cuff.
 
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