Ironworks Gaming Forum - View Single Post - Discussion: Inability to speak well in public, stage fright and all that rubbish

Bungleau · 01-17-2006, 03:58 PM

In spite of this being an RPG forum, this topic has been touched on a couple of times. My answer remains the same -- you get better at any skill by practicing it, and the best place I know of to practice public speaking is in Toastmasters.

I checked the Toastmasters on-line club lookupm and found one club listed in Estonia:

Search Criteria: Estonia, Tallinn
Tallinn Club - Club #: 3443, Dist #: U, Est: 10/30/2001 Meeting Time: 6:00 pm, 1nd & 3rd Tuesday
Hansa Law office
Gonsiori 7, Tallinn, Estonia
Club Status: Open to all
372 511 5530
Andres.Roosma@gmail.com
www.toastmasters.ee

There doesn't appear to be a lot of Toastmasters activity in Estonia, unfortunately.

The best advice I can offer for you when it comes to speaking is to slow down and take a breath or two. Even after 8 years in Toastmasters and regularly giving presentations, I still find myself rushed and hurried when I present. Sometimes that's good, but often, it's a big challenge.

Most problems stem from fear... fear that you'll sound funny (so you do!), fear that people will laugh (so they will!), fear that you won't be able to communicate (so you can't!). Like most fears, the best way to defeat it is to encounter it so often that it holds no power over you.

There's an English (or American [img]smile.gif[/img] ) expression that when you're nervous, it's like there are butterflies flying in your stomach. The feeling is like that. Practice speaking, and it's not so much that the butterflies will go away, but rather, you'll be able to command them to fly in formation. When I read a piece at my grandmother's funeral, I was *extremely* nervous. I just ignored that, told it to wait until later, and read the piece. Once it was done, I sat down for a few to regain my composure.

BTW, I'm very introverted in general. And I work in sales, which requires many extroverted activities. I do them, and retreat into my shell to regain my energy on a regular basis [img]smile.gif[/img]

Good luck!

01-17-2006, 03:58 PM	#2
Bungleau 40th Level Warrior Join Date: October 29, 2001 Location: Western Wilds of Michigan Posts: 11,752	In spite of this being an RPG forum, this topic has been touched on a couple of times. My answer remains the same -- you get better at any skill by practicing it, and the best place I know of to practice public speaking is in Toastmasters. I checked the Toastmasters on-line club lookupm and found one club listed in Estonia: Search Criteria: Estonia, Tallinn Tallinn Club - Club #: 3443, Dist #: U, Est: 10/30/2001 Meeting Time: 6:00 pm, 1nd & 3rd Tuesday Hansa Law office Gonsiori 7, Tallinn, Estonia Club Status: Open to all 372 511 5530 Andres.Roosma@gmail.com www.toastmasters.ee There doesn't appear to be a lot of Toastmasters activity in Estonia, unfortunately. The best advice I can offer for you when it comes to speaking is to slow down and take a breath or two. Even after 8 years in Toastmasters and regularly giving presentations, I still find myself rushed and hurried when I present. Sometimes that's good, but often, it's a big challenge. Most problems stem from fear... fear that you'll sound funny (so you do!), fear that people will laugh (so they will!), fear that you won't be able to communicate (so you can't!). Like most fears, the best way to defeat it is to encounter it so often that it holds no power over you. There's an English (or American [img]smile.gif[/img] ) expression that when you're nervous, it's like there are butterflies flying in your stomach. The feeling is like that. Practice speaking, and it's not so much that the butterflies will go away, but rather, you'll be able to command them to fly in formation. When I read a piece at my grandmother's funeral, I was extremely nervous. I just ignored that, told it to wait until later, and read the piece. Once it was done, I sat down for a few to regain my composure. BTW, I'm very introverted in general. And I work in sales, which requires many extroverted activities. I do them, and retreat into my shell to regain my energy on a regular basis [img]smile.gif[/img] Good luck! __________________ B Save Early, Save Often Save Before, Save After Two-Star General, Spelling Soldiers -+-+-+ Give 'em a hug one more time. It might be the last.