Stage Fright!!

Speaking in public or appearing on stage for the matter really does cause people great anxiety!! We tends to go to washroom more often, especially just before our turn to go up the stage or to stand in front of the Podium or Rostrum; some people tends to comment "butterflies in my stomach" and also the feeling of heavy breathing or cramps on certain part of the body, etc, etc......For those who have ever experienced this situation will sure agrees with me, but for those who haven't........ why not give it a try - just to get an experienced of it!!

According to Dr. Murray Stein of the University of California at San Diego, 50 to 75 percent of women and 35 to 50 percent of men fear public speaking. Even talking to small groups, 30 percent of women report getting some what or extremely nervous. Although this stage fright is not fatal, it can become a barrier to your success if you let it.

Recently, I've read an article from 'The Geography of the Brain' on How to Overcome Stage Fright and find that it might be of great infor, thus would like to share with all you wonderful people out there........

How to Overcome Stage Fright

The thing many of us fear the most is speaking in public before a group. Just the idea of appearing before an audience can so overwhelm us that we react as if we were in physical danger. In times of danger, be it real or imagined, the brain releases adrenaline into the bloodstream. The result is stammering, trembling, heavy perspiration, and sometimes a loss of short-term memory. The effect of stage fright, as it is commonly called, can be devastating. Here are some tried and true tips to help you.

1. Know your material. Whether it is a speech, a comedy routine, or a musical performance, knowing and understanding your material thoroughly is essential to building confidence.
2. Assemble the ideas of your speech in your mind in their natural order, then jot them down on index cards. Never try to memorize a speech - always leave room for spontaneity.
3. Practice delivering your speech or part in a play out loud in front of a mirror. Remember, acting confident will make you feel more confident. Rehearsing in front of family or friends is helpful. So is videotaping your performance. Taping can help you spot such common errors as speaking too rapidly, or using too many or too few gestures.
4. Visualize your performance. Part of your practice time should be devoted to mentally going over each aspect of your performance, from start to finish. To boost your ability to memorize lines for a play, visualize your character in action.
5. Show your enthusiasm for your subject. In this book Effective Speaking, Dale Carnegie advises all speakers to "speak about something that you have earned the right to talk about through experience or study". Personal anecdotes are an effective way to enliven a talk.
6. Make friends with your audience. Pick out individual people in various parts of the crowd and talk directly to each one for a few minutes throughout your speech. Speak as naturally as possible: this helps put an audience at ease.