What happens to your body when you get nervous and how to overcome it?

Through these past weeks we´ve been having workshops and classes on how to effectively speak in front of an audience. A common topic among all is the way nervousness affects us. We have experienced it to some degree whether we are prepared or not to do a public presentation. But there are many techniques and strategies to help you to transmit your ideas properly. We have learned that the primary source of fear or anxiety comes from the fact that when we stand up in front of an audience we are being judged. There are many things worth caring about in this world; the opinion of others is not one of them. The lack of preparation or knowledge of the topic you are presenting can also cause nervousness especially when something is at stake; for example: grades, a job promotion, a deal with a company among others. So what can you do to improve your oral skills and engage with your audience transmitting your ideas effectively? According to what we have learned, there are 5 key elements:

1)Preparation

2)Practice: like it would be a real thing

3)Learn to breathe.

4)Stop using pet words like “uh” and “amm”

5)Be sincere and confident about what you are saying.

In addition, something else that becomes essential during presentation or speech is the body language, because it can make all the difference between a dull, static presentation and a dynamic, engaging one. One of the main elements of the body language are:

-Eye contact

-Facial Expressions

-Posture

-Gestures.

-Position and movement

So now that you know these effective elements, let us give you some tips that would help everyone to make a killer speech. First of all, forget the PowerPoint presentations and loads of data. Instead, keep you speech simple with a clear, relevant message. Also, practice beforehand either in the shower, in front of a mirror, or wherever works for you. Before taking action prepare with relaxation techniques. During the speech do not read because the audience will not take you seriously and remember you are trying connect with the people through an anecdote or a reflexive questions.Last but not least, use body language.

Adolfo Gramlich Martínez A01209557

Carlos Adrián Pérez Hurtado A01351104