re: Public speaking, anyone comfortable doing it?

I speak all the time (have a one hour seminar presentation tomorrow). If you know your material, it should be no problem.

A lot of public speaking is now online. I miss the direct audience feedback.

It’s natural to be a little nervous.

Practice and familiarity with the subject matter helps confidence. Also open with something off topic or a zinger. At a large conference I went to, I opened with “what better way to wake up after lunch than (subject of talk which was dry and technical by nature).” That got a few laughs and put the whole room at ease.

I’ve spoken in front of small, medium and large crowds live and virtually for a while and the nerves never go away.

I have found I love it. Took a new role that has that baked in....got rattled when I had to give a 3.5 hour in-service to a room full of people from another discipline, but after nailing that I feel pretty solid. Got a talk in-front of about 100-200 people this week and pretty stoked about it.

I did stand-up comedy in college… how’s that for public speaking

I like to hear myself talk, so when there are a bunch of people who are obligated to sit there and listen to me drone on yes I enjoy it.

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Anyone OTers comfortable speaking in public?

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I used to give Continuing Ed professional presentations at conventions and other professional gatherings. You get used to it.

Take advantage of it in the educational setting by understanding your audience doesn't care and are only present because they have to be. Doesn't really matter to them the content nor the delivery, you can give speeches in your footed bunny sleepwear for all they care. Take a couple of courses that include presentations and by graduation you'll be comfortable enough to start professionally.

If already graduated, use lots of graphics to distract from YOU till your comfort level increases.

Know your material back and forth and it becomes a lot easier to do.

Being insecure about what you are talking about means your anxieties will be pretty bad.

how comfortable I am is directly proportional to how well I know the material/prepared. If you put me on the spot I'm going to be a mess. If I know about it a few days in advance I'm good to go.

Get some Beta-blockers for next time. They help calm the nerves.

I always start off my presentations with this line “This will be the most important hour of your life as your success or failure in life will depend on every utterance of this presentation”.

You will win hearts and minds with that opening!!!!