How to fall apart in public

[st_martin_a]

I'm back in the school routine. I've had a couple of students who have rattled my cage a bit but nothing major. On the whole I've got pretty good classes this year.

This morning, in the college assembly, the head of college asked me to pray. I thought she might because she's done it before. It's normally not a problem but for some reason, about half way through my prayer, I started to feel really nervous and it started to affect my breathing. I just about managed to finish without anyone being aware (I think).
The same thing happened to me when I spoke during the whole school assembly a few months ago but I was only introducing another speaker then so I got away with it. I'm a bit concerned though, because I'm booked in to do a 15 talk for whole school assembly in a few weeks.
It's weird because normally I'm nervous before going on and then fine when I get started, but now I seem to feel totally relaxed beforehand and then become a nervous wreck while I'm speaking.

:p

Comments

[paw_prints]

What is a 15 talk?

I'm not good in public speaking situations. I'm usually a bit of a wreck, before, during and afterwards! I find practising heaps before I go on helps. Maybe that might be the answer for your upcoming talk?

[st_martin_a]

It's essentially a sermon, in front of about 1000 students and about 100 staff.
I know what I'm going to say, inside-out so yeah, maybe I'll be fine.
I've done them before.
It's been a while (over a year) since I've done more than 5 minutes though and I just noticed that I'd become out of breath for no reason, the last few times.
I spoke to the reverend of the church that our school uses for assembly this morning and he said that the same thing had happened to him a couple of times and he doesn't know why...
We'll see.
:/

[october_rain]

Aw, sorry you had an attack of nerves during the wrong time. When I had to speak publicly, I was similar to you, where the choking sensation of nervousness happened before 'showtime', but eased after beginning to talk. Often, the more we hype up the fear of choking-up leading up to the event, it can kind of be a self-fulfilling prophecy. So try to think positively and confidently trust in your ability to speak clearly for that event coming up. Visualize yourself standing up there poised and secure with not a care in the world (yeah, even if that isn't true ;) It'll work though.

[st_martin_a]

Thanks Erica.