The Positive Re-channeling of Nerves Essays

The Positive Re-channeling of Nerves Essays The Positive Re-channeling of Nerves Essay The Positive Re-channeling of Nerves Essay Cicero once said, â€Å"If we are not ashamed to think it, we should not be ashamed to speak it† (qtd. in WorldofQuotes.com 1).   This is good advice, but those who engage in any type of public speaking are bound to feel some type of nervousness or insecurity about what they are going to say.   It may not be that we are necessarily ashamed of the content, but most people report having fears that they will appear foolish to their audience.   This nervousness, however harrowing, is actually quite natural, and if channeled correctly, can work to the speaker’s benefit.The first step to dealing with the nervousness of public speaking is to know your topic.   The more one knows their subject, the more confident they feel.   If the speaker is well versed in the topic, even if they should lose their place or train of thought, they still possess enough knowledge to create a segue-way that will prevent the panic caused by awkward pauses.   If this nervous energy can b e channeled into knowing the subject matter, the speaker extremely diminishes their chances of going blank or being caught off-guard.The book of lists says that public speaking is the number one fear of all fears (Laskowski 1 ).   However, if one can also channel this energy toward their audience, one has a greater possibility of succeeding.   Many speakers are simply not concentrating on their audience or message but rather their own anxiety.   Concentrating on the audience brings the speaker out of their own self-consciousness and creates an awareness that may allow the speaker to better capture the audience’sattention.   A speaker worried about the own internal fears cannot aptly address the audience’s needs.   These speakers often have poor eye contact or articulation.   Placing emphasis on the audience not only calms the speaker but at the same time keeps the audience engaged.Student Name 2The last and probably most important thing that a speaker can d o to re-direct nervous energy is too simply make it positive energy.   The best speakers are those who can turn butterflies into a voluptuous surge of vivacity and enthusiasm.   Speakers can use this energy to make hand-gestures or alter inflection for emphasis; these in turn show that the speaker is truly impassioned about the subject.   This type of energy is contagious and it is likely that the enthusiastic speaker will see their own energy spilling over into the crowd.   Audience members may smile or nod along with the speaker’s important points; some may sit erect or even lean forward in their seats.   Likely, when the speaker who has transformed nervousness into vivacity concludes, there is not likely to be vacant stares or disinterest but energetic acceptance and warm applause.Public speaking can cause a great amount of insecurity in even a seasoned speaker.   Speakers are naturally concerned about the acceptance of their presentation and the possibility of making mistakes in front of their peers.   This natural energy does not have to work to paralyze the speaker.   When re-focused, it can lead to a speaker who is better informed, more aware, and greatly more enthusiastic and engaging.   A speaker should not be overly concerned regarding their anxiety, but realize that this extra energy can be a catalyst that will serve to enhance and intensify the performance.   In this light, a person may realize that the butterflies that they had in the beginning may have been what made the speech special in the end.