posted April 30, 2000 11:18 PM            

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What can I say bros; even my big-anadrol-
inflated, country ass gets nervous as
shit when it comes to speeches. Anyone
know of any good prescription remedies that
will keep me alert mentally and allow me to
get through this research presentation...and
no, I'm not going to snort Prozaz or any
whacky shit like that.

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posted May 01, 2000 12:05 AM            

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I have the same problem. Get some Paxil. It works well for most people. It's advertised for social ***** disorder. I forgot the middle word. Basically its used for what you described.

Some personal advice. Practice ahead of time over and over what you are going to say. If this is something you will have to do alot of you can look into groups that practice public speaking (toastmasters etc.) Dale Carnagie is another good one.

Just like lifting, the more you do the better you get.

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posted May 01, 2000 10:18 AM            

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Well, I am not a doctor but I play one on the net. I have heard of people taking Propranolol before big recitations and concerts to slow their heart down a little so they wouldn't get nervous. I on the other hand get up there and just wing it. I have a presentation tomorrow and we will see how it goes. I think being prepared is the best medicine. Well, if you are going to take a chemical to help you out make sure you do your research, just like you would for anything else.

Platinum

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"Try? There is no try, there is do or do not do." -Yoda

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posted May 01, 2000 12:12 PM            

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dude i'm the same way. it's F*****UP.
i don't know why, i'm not shy or anything, i'm fine around groups of people, but if all eyes are on me, i get freaked out, it's funny but it pisses me off, because i don't know why i get nervous.

my dads been on prozac for like 3 years now, talk about a stoned looking MF, he acts like a retard now that he's on it, makes me sick.

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posted May 01, 2000 12:30 PM            

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Platinum, you hit the nail right on the head. Preparation is everything. The only time I get nervous in front of an audience is when I'm not prepared, therefore I make sure I'm always ready for my presentations.

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posted May 01, 2000 01:05 PM         

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In order to get licensed, I had to sit for National Boards. There was simply no way I could be totally prepared for some of the questions---as some of them were really off the wall. I was being graded on what my answer was, but also HOW I answered the questions. They counted off points for any obvious nervousness or hesitation or if I was rattled. The exam lasted for about 3 hours, but we had to sit in a little room waiting for the test to start for about 5 hours, so the tension was almost unbearable. There's not much you can do about that, but for the actual speaking issue, here's something that worked for me:
when the speech starts put yourself in the moment...actually convince yourself how much fun it is standing up in front of an audience talking to people. Just think to yourself, "this isn't too bad, it's actually kind of fun" and you'll find the speech going better.
Another tactic that you can do is to be totally honest with your audience. If your voice is shaking, or if your hands are rattling the papers your holding, then just take a second and say to the crowd "I'm really nervous when it comes to public speaking, so please bear with me." I've found that by being honest about how nerve-racking it is that people open up to your situation and it also makes you a bit less nervous, since you get it out into the open.
I actually heard a really funny one that went over very well with the audience. The guy was really shaking badly. His speech was so trembly that you didn't know when one sentence ended and another began. he finally got sick of his own situation and said (I'll paraphrase):
"Let me take just a second and mention that if anyone has any articles of clothing that need to be washed, then I urge you to bring them up here to the front. Then we can get a large container and fill it up with water and put some detergent in it and I'll just jump in along with the clothes (I was in the audience and At this point there was only puzzled looks). Sensing that we didn't understand, he threw the punch line:
"I'm shaking so badly, as you all can see, that I'd make a pretty good washing machine." The audience erupted in laughter. He laughed too. It didn't stop for at least half a minute. One guy from the audience got up and said that his coffee needed to be stirred and asked if the guy could hold it for him for a few minutes. It was hilarious. The point is, after that, the guy wasn't shaking and his speech turned out to be a really good one. I think that because the audience saw him laughing that it put them at ease...which put him at ease...and took the pressure off of him to be perfect.
One last thing. Here's a trick that I do when I give lectures to the public. Before the talk begins, have the audience stand up and lead them in a brief minute of stretching (particularly if they've been sitting for a long time). That helps you to breathe more correctly and relaxes your muscles. That does wonders for me, since I have the tendency to hold my breath.
Hope that helps.

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posted May 01, 2000 01:12 PM            

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The more you do it the easier it is.
When you know your shit or its something you care about, it comes across and people listen because they know it important to you.
Went to a EPA seminar friday, whaT A FUKKIN SLEEPER. Everyone was falling off, the guy realy sucked, he was even yawning.
Be up beat and go for it, grab them and don't let them lose.

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posted May 01, 2000 02:17 PM            

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Hey BackDoc, what's your e-mail bro, we
have something in common.

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posted May 01, 2000 02:17 PM            

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Hey BackDoc, what's your e-mail bro, we
have something in common.

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posted May 01, 2000 09:46 PM         

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hey primo
I know how you feel, but practice makes perfect. I used to get real nervous speaking infront of people. I am a teacher so I have to speack for about 45 minutes a class now. Over the years speaking has become easy.

best of luck

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posted May 02, 2000 02:21 AM            

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you are right platinum...propanolol(Inderal) works very well for performance anxiety. Your doc will prescribe this short term for you. Try this for starters. Also...be prepared with your subject matter before you present.

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posted May 03, 2000 04:06 PM            

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i usually go to the mens room and wack off till i cum. This will slow your heart rate and you'll be calm. NO SHIT. Save your $ for juice.

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posted May 03, 2000 05:22 PM            

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fuck up bad, hard and fast. then you will be desensitized to it. it works but i wouldn't recommend it.

develop a back up plan. what will you do if something goes wrong, that kind of thing. that should help a little. alot of people who give speeches unconsciously feel that there is no room for error and no way to deal with it, and that leads to intense nervousness of fucking up. you need a back up plan so you know what to do if something goes wrong.

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posted May 03, 2000 05:33 PM            

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I just have an attitude like I'm the shit. I try not to be arrogant, but if I raise myself above the people I'm addressing the intimidation factor is nil...
Or you could just imagine you were talking to a bunch of faceless, supportive people from a body building board, it would just be outloud and in person.

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posted May 03, 2000 09:33 PM            

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Ok so here is my update. I had my presentation last night. It went off without a hitch. Why? Because I messed up right away. I had an overhead and some powerpoint slides to show. Well, I put the first overhead on the platform backwards and went on with my presentation. This hottie that I have had my eye on for the entire semester says "Excuse me, your overhead is on wrong" I looked up and said, "Oh I guess it is". I fixed it and kept going without a hitch. It took my mind off of what I was doing and it came out natural. Needless to say me and my partner scored highest grade that night. Oh, and I got a chance to thank the hottie after class!

Platinum

no Propanolol required.

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"Try? There is no try, there is do or do not do." -Yoda

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posted May 10, 2000 12:24 AM            

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Bro,

REHEARSE
REHEARSE
REHEARSE
REHEARSE
REHEARSE

STAND AND DELIVER.

If it sounds stupid and easy, that's because it is.

Matt

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posted May 10, 2000 03:06 AM            

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bro, i took public speaking last semester. the thing i did alot of was looking at the audience. before i started i actually looked at them. not in an intimidating way, just checked them out. most of them were going to give speeches too so they looked nervous. then i had it! i knew that my speech would be the most interesting and funny speech there was, hands down, so there was my edge. all you have to do from there is make that happen. i normally am not nervous in front of crowds too much. its one on one i am more nervous. i lose all jitters if i am talking about something i KNOW im right about. so basically like the bros said. know your material, practice it, make it second nature and you'll have it down. if its second nature, then the nerves wont stop you. confidence and thorough knowledge of the subject(a byproduct for confidence) will get you through it. ps.. it also helps to find friendly faces out there, ie hotties in the first few rows. plus you can ask them after the speech "how did i do?, did i look nervous?" hehe. good luck.

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