Public speaking course ...

Hector Savage

Hi,
We have a 1 day public speaking course in work coming up, I am quite nervous about it, I don't like public speaking but I have done some in work - but have practiced practiced practiced really well before delivering so didn't make a total hack job of it.

This is worrying me as I imagine it's going to be totally improv, we won't be able to prepare anything.

And it will be a mix of departments, so a lot of people will be there and I imagine I will have minutes to prepare something to talk about that I won't be so knowledgeable on - and even if I were, the little time of preparation has me worried.

What can one expect from one of these day courses ?

the whole year inn

Hector Savage wrote: »

Hi,
We have a 1 day public speaking course in work coming up, I am quite nervous about it, I don't like public speaking but I have done some in work - but have practiced practiced practiced really well before delivering so didn't make a total hack job of it.

This is worrying me as I imagine it's going to be totally improv, we won't be able to prepare anything.

And it will be a mix of departments, so a lot of people will be there and I imagine I will have minutes to prepare something to talk about that I won't be so knowledgeable on - and even if I were, the little time of preparation has me worried.

What can one expect from one of these day courses ?

Can you not go, surely you cant be forced to do it?

is_that_so

Hector Savage wrote: »

Hi,
We have a 1 day public speaking course in work coming up, I am quite nervous about it, I don't like public speaking but I have done some in work - but have practiced practiced practiced really well before delivering so didn't make a total hack job of it.

This is worrying me as I imagine it's going to be totally improv, we won't be able to prepare anything.

And it will be a mix of departments, so a lot of people will be there and I imagine I will have minutes to prepare something to talk about that I won't be so knowledgeable on - and even if I were, the little time of preparation has me worried.

What can one expect from one of these day courses ?

There should be preparation time. I'd also reckon they'll put you in smaller groups to help people feel comfortable. Just read off the notes if you are stuck and look at the back wall. I can't imagine them expecting fantastic performances from everyone. Just get through the time and best of luck!

mcbert

Hector Savage wrote: »

Hi,
We have a 1 day public speaking course in work coming up, I am quite nervous about it, I don't like public speaking but I have done some in work - but have practiced practiced practiced really well before delivering so didn't make a total hack job of it.

This is worrying me as I imagine it's going to be totally improv, we won't be able to prepare anything.

And it will be a mix of departments, so a lot of people will be there and I imagine I will have minutes to prepare something to talk about that I won't be so knowledgeable on - and even if I were, the little time of preparation has me worried.

What can one expect from one of these day courses ?

That sounds like the worst possible way to help people with public speaking. "How are you with water? you want to be better at swimming? right, there's a compulsory throw-you-into-ocean course on next week"


I did a bit of toastmasters for a while. Much better approach. Sorry ive no better advice.

Hector Savage

the whole year inn wrote: »

Can you not go, surely you cant be forced to do it?

No I don't have to do it, but I am choosing to, I want to improve my techniques, cos I let it worry me too much.

Humour Me

Did a one day session recently and actually found it quite useful. Morning was spent going over different presentation techniques, ways to keep the nerves under control and how to engage with the audience. Before lunch we were told would have to give a 10 minute presentation so we could take the break to prepare. The topic was anything we wanted to talk about, one of the lads spent the 10 minutes talking about the avengers/mcu films! The group then had to identify 3 things that were done well and 3 things to improve.

The thing to remember is that everyone in the room is there to improve their skill and everyone will be nervous getting up in front of the group. Don’t build it up too much in your head, if the trainer is experienced they will be expecting the nerves. Good luck!

Ollie321

Hector Savage wrote: »

No I don't have to do it, but I am choosing to, I want to improve my techniques, cos I let it worry me too much.

I think you are wise to do so. This might sound silly but you should practise at home by getting your heart rate up (squats/running on the spot) and then speaking aloud on a topic in an empty room, practise speaking slowly, clearly and a little bit louder really does help. The best of luck with it

HorrorScope

Hector Savage wrote: »

No I don't have to do it, but I am choosing to, I want to improve my techniques, cos I let it worry me too much.

Pick something you know and while you are talking, just look at random foreheads in the audience every so often - it looks to them like you are making eye contact.

Hector Savage

I think ill bail out, some people did it yesterday and we have to do some 3 min talk on anything we want - I have zero imagination, and it's 2 weeks away and allready worried about it.


Looks like ill be pulling a sickie ...

Lantus

Having done 10 weeks of courses like this I can atest that it's both challenging and very positive in what you get out. Most public speaking is about good storytelling and timing.

Like any activity lack of practice is the problem not an unfounded fear in talking. Embrace change!!

Bicyclette

Hector Savage wrote: »

I think ill bail out, some people did it yesterday and we have to do some 3 min talk on anything we want - I have zero imagination, and it's 2 weeks away and allready worried about it.


Looks like ill be pulling a sickie ...

You don't have to have imagination to talk about something you know about.

Why not talk for 3 minutes on Christmas Preparations? I have heard people talk for an hour on the merits of live Christmas Trees v Fake Christmas Trees

Don't pull a sickie. Believe in yourself. Put yourself outside your comfort zone and it will stand to you on occasions when you won't have any option but to go outside your comfort zone.

Think of this as a form of stress innoculation.

Mrs OBumble

Hector Savage wrote: »

I think ill bail out, some people did it yesterday and we have to do some 3 min talk on anything we want - I have zero imagination, and it's 2 weeks away and allready worried about it.


Looks like ill be pulling a sickie ...

Just talk about something to do with work. Use it as a chance to work on something that can contribute to your performance review.

Humour Me

What sport team do you support?
What hobbies do you have?
What was the last tv show/ film / book you enjoyed?
Where did you last go on holiday?
What was new experience you did for the first time?
What was a challenging issue you dealt with at work.
What is your area of expertise?
What is your bucket list?

If you really don’t feel like you can do it, then drop out, but do you really want to take a sick day for the sake of 3 minutes? No one is expecting a polished presentation, just that you take the opportunity to apply the skills that you learn in the course.

If you don’t do the course now, will your manager expect you to do it next time it comes available?

Hector Savage

Thinking of doing this ...

That will kill the 3 mins and will be funny .... but I am thinking you'd need to have hard neck to get away with it ...

TomSweeney

I would highly advise not doing this, it would be funny - as you say if you were hard necked and a natural comedian - someone with no fear of public speaking would make this work, but if you are nervous it will backfire.

Practise a topic, it will only hurt at the start then it calms down ...

Hector Savage

Done!
thank **** ! quite happy with it, I did my 2 speeches well enough, first was a bit ropey but could feel great improvements on the 2nd.... I highly recommend people in a similar situation do one, it's not that bad, everyone is nervous - which helps - even the sales lads that are supposedly used to it..

Ollie321

Hector Savage wrote: »

Done!
thank **** ! quite happy with it, I did my 2 speeches well enough, first was a bit ropey but could feel great improvements on the 2nd.... I highly recommend people in a similar situation do one, it's not that bad, everyone is nervous even the sales lads that are supposedly used to it..

Well done

Hector Savage

Now the next nightmare to get through ...... work christmas party this friday .... the horror!!!