I have to give a presentation to 100+

[neko]

Hi all,

I've just registered here and have a bit of a dilemma.

On Monday I have to give a 20 minute presentation to a group of 100-200 highly educated people (scientists, etc).

I did a rehersal a few days ago with just a couple of people watching and had two severe blocks. I managed to get through one by forcing "can I get a drink of water" out (which wasn't even true), since it gave me a couple of minutes to wait.

I did another rehersal today which went very well, I had basically no issues at all. Obviously this doesn't necessarily mean that Monday will go the same way though.

Does anyone have any advice? I don't mind pausing for a few seconds occasionally since people just think it's a normal pause. But I tend to block for literally minutes at a time.

Will having a drink or something help to get through it?

[Perad]

Hi all,

I've just registered here and have a bit of a dilemma.

On Monday I have to give a 20 minute presentation to a group of 100-200 highly educated people (scientists, etc).

I did a rehersal a few days ago with just a couple of people watching and had two severe blocks. I managed to get through one by forcing "can I get a drink of water" out (which wasn't even true), since it gave me a couple of minutes to wait.

I did another rehersal today which went very well, I had basically no issues at all. Obviously this doesn't necessarily mean that Monday will go the same way though.

Does anyone have any advice? I don't mind pausing for a few seconds occasionally since people just think it's a normal pause. But I tend to block for literally minutes at a time.

Will having a drink or something help to get through it?

If you are trying to hide your stutter then chances are that you stutter more as you will have some fear of stuttering.

If I was you I would start with "Good Morning, my name is Jason, my speech is on...". Then I would say something like. "I have a stutter, hopefully it won't be an issue but if I block thats what's going on."

They are educated people, they won't really care that you have a got stutter, however letting them know will make you less anxious. Furthermore if you get into a minute long block they will know what is happening.

As for getting through your blocks. Investigate 'Pull Outs'. The idea is that you introduce some sound into the block and work through it. There is no reason why you should be blocking for minutes. Something else that might help is a 'Prolongation'. When you think you are about to stutter on a word extend the first syllable then say the rest of the word at a normal pace. So it would be something like this. ssssome-thing.

Finally you could stutter voluntarily. Many people who stutter want to speak perfectly. By stuttering voluntarily you take the stress off the situation as you have already stuttered, you were in control and the world is still turning.

[neko]

Thanks for the reply.

The thing is, nobody (at least at work) knows that I'm like this - I'm usually able to cover it up, and would like to keep it that way. I got through today's practice in one piece so I believe that I can do it again if I put my mind to it.

I actually never 'stutter' as such, I'm either 100% fluent or block severely. I know exactly what causes it to happen to me, and possibly all of us, and that's thinking about the stutter. I tend to believe that this is why it never happens while we're angry and yelling, or drunk, or that sort of thing, because we're focusing entirely on other things and not ourselves. If I could somehow prevent myself from thinking about stuttering then I'm certain that it would never happen.

This is probably also why my blocks go for so long. As soon as it starts, I think 'oh crap, here it is', which makes it become worse, then I think about it even more, and it's just a never ending cycle until somebody throws me a life ring.

Anyway, the 'pull out' concept sounds like a good idea - hopefully I won't need it, but I'll keep it in mind!

Thanks

[Charlieb]

I use a Motivativational trick sometimes used in hypnosis, this will take a bit of time to achieve the desired results but I promise it does work.

You'll need to go to a favourite place of yours where you can sit down and chill out for a couple of minutes. (I usually go to a local beach) Sit down or even just go for a stroll, While you do listen to all the sounds around you, look at all the different scenery take it all in, drop your shoulders a little more with each out breath...relax!

When you feel really relaxed (and heres the trick) squeeze your index finger and tumb together. Do this a few times while you feel really relaxed and motivated by the beauty of everything around you.

This creates a link between the memory of all your relaxed feelings, the location or place you are in and the physical feeling of sqeezing your fingers

Go home (or back to work) and when you need to feel relaxed or motivated sqeeze your index finger and tumb together again, remember all that you have seen and heard at the place, remember how you felt, then make those feelings stronger, the colour brighter, the sounds louder...and relax

This takes practise but i find it excellent to help me relax before a big meeting or presentation. Even when your giving your speech, take a couple of pauses and sqeeze those fingers. You'll be surprised by the results!!

Best of Luck

Charlie.

[jak]

"The thing is, nobody (at least at work) knows that I'm like this "Trust me they all know you stutter you just think you hide it well :D ask a few people at work your will be surprised

[Vermillion]

If I were in your position, I'd be on the run looking for benzos, might even consider taking a few shots of alcohol before the presentation. It's sad but true.

[eucerin101]

Hey I really wish you luck on your presentation. As a stutter, I have presented a few times with very limited stuttering and at times with severe stuttering.

What makes me relax a bit is to breathe in and out slowly in a very relaxed and easy way.

Another trick that helps me is to be overly confident and y. Pretend you are the shit, you are the man, you have a 10 inch . Be confident, pretend to "talk-down" to your audience and just feel like you're the president of the united states. Good luck again, tell us how it went.

[happy7117]

[QUOTE=eucerin101;17208] Pretend you are the shit, you are the man, you have a 10 inch [QUOTE


THAT was VERY funny!

[bwelling]

Does anyone have any advice? I don't mind pausing for a few seconds occasionally since people just think it's a normal pause. But I tend to block for literally minutes at a time.

Will having a drink or something help to get through it?

Neko - congratulations on your challange. Focus on your topic - Sutterering isn't the only thing that could prevent you from delivering your message. You can't worry or avoid all of them. Breathe and give em hell.

bw

[neko]

Thanks for the replies all. The presentation was today and went quite well. I didn't stutter or lose my place even once, so everybody is none the wiser :p I'll go out shortly to buy some wine to celebrate :p

I got a few yawns during it, but also people coming up afterwards interested to hear more about my work. I guess you can't win them all.

I can honestly say that people who cl that you cannot overcome a stutter are wrong (no offence intended). Thinking that just convinces you that it's impossible which really will prevent it from happening. You can do it if you believe that you can. I just told myself that everything is going to go fine, and it did. If you tell yourself that you're going to stutter, then you will.

I'm obviously not completely fixed yet, otherwise I wouldn't have posted this thread, but only 6 months ago I could barely order food in a shop.

[Charlieb]

I completely agree!! If you believe it , You can overcome your stammer, it's great to see you did so well!

Charlie

I'm off to get my soggy sandwich now....Or Not!!!:D