Shy guys

DarciaMoonz, LPN · Feb 22, 2006

I consider myself shy, but not as bad as I used to be. To overcome my shyness, I start participating more in class activities such as reading out loud. This worked for me because at least I know my peers and the nursing class is usually a pretty large audience. I don't think your weird in the least bit, and I think we all get a touch of anxiety when it is time to speak in front of others.

Shaneomac · Mar 14, 2006

The only way to overcome shyness is to believe in yourself.

adelajudith · Mar 14, 2006

Hey! I'm not a guy... but I'm a teen, and know how you feel! Gosh... one time I stood up to give a presentation on my trip overseas, and turned BEET red. I just felt it, and couldn't do anything to stop it. And, I actually wasn't nervous either!!! Now... violin recitals. My knees'll be knocking... So, hang in there! Get a good, nice, helpful prof if you can for speech. I had to take intro to speech this semester as a pre-req, and so far it's been wonderful... And, I bet you'll be a great nurse! Just remember... they're not going to shoot you if you stutter once or twice. I repeat that to myself a lot... :lol2: You can do it!! I've never taken meds either, and don't plan on it, even though my music teacher does.

As far as classes go, if you want to overcome your fear of public speaking, take public speaking. It'll might be tough, but it's sure a good way to get over it! Interpersonal communication is about dyad communication (between two people). That might have less stand up and speak stuff.

Good luck!

JiffyGriff · Mar 16, 2006

Hmmm, I used to have this problem........not anymore, not sure what clicked. Here's a few suggestions, make the speech interactive so that you are answering questions and getting others to talk besides you, that will make it seem more like a conversation.... Think about how you think of others while they are giving a speech, 9 times out of 10 you're not even paying attention right? Well, guess what everyone else is doing.........zoning out. Umm, I'd give you one other peice of advice to gain some confidence with the girls in the program, but I think the women on this board would shoot me. Good luck.

2dCareer · Mar 16, 2006

When offered the opportunity to speak before groups of people many people would rather experience a slow and torturous death instead.

It is often listed as THE most feard of all things. It is frequetnly listed more so than fear of heights, enclosed spaces, death, etc.

But here's a key that may be successful to you.

When speaking to a group, speak to a person or two close to you. Establish direct eye contact with them. Create a rapport.

What most folk are afraid of is performance before gross/mass anonymity.

Tell a short humorous story to lighten things up a bit. Laughter will release endorphins (boy, that feels good!) and permit the opportunity to physically shake things out, which in itself is an energy release/ice breaker.

When you then establish a rapport with that person or persons, your relaxation will begin to flow, and people will sense that you're making direct contact with them, and that's what it's all about!

KeithEMU · Mar 29, 2006

I used to be so scared when I talked in from of a group that my knees would literally knock, I would sweat, my voice was extremely shaky and I felt like I was going to be sick. I took a speach class in High School, mainly because I wanted to get over it, so I pushed myself through the speaches over and over, and the teacher gave me a good grade based on my progress.

Later I started doing some Teaching assisting at a massage school once I graduated, and eventually ended up doing some teaching. Things kept imporoving. I have done lots of volunteer work with AYSO where I have to run classes, and hold huge meetings with 300 coaches. Little by little it got better. Now It doesn't bother me, whether it's 10 people or 10,000. I can do it. Was it an easy process, heck no! I just kept pushing myself a little father outside my envelope of security untill it was comfortable.

lizzyberry · Mar 13, 2007

Kabin I want to talk to you about how you overcame ur stage fright I like the desensitizing thing

RN2B78 · Mar 18, 2007

this is a great post and I love all of the responses! this used to me! I finally took sometime to be very comfortable with who I am and have confidence that I have have researched what it is that I am speaking on and I know the in's and out's of the topic. once I became comfortable with who I am and what message it was that I was delivering I loved public speaking in every aspect of it.