It won’t be the end of the world if you do, But, it serves no purpose to reveal to the audience that you are nervous.
Telling your audience you are nervous is self-serving. You would be doing it to presumably reduce your anxiety. It probably won’t!
In most cases your audience want you to succeed in your presentation. If you tell them in advance how nervous you are, they are going to start looking to see if you are indeed nervous.
That becomes kind of a self-fulfilling prophecy. Your nervousness might make your audience anxious which in turn can increase your anxiety.
You’re far better to develop good public speaking skills which in turn helps increase your self-confidence and reduce your anxieties.
I recall an instance in college when I was the President of the Student’s Counsel. I was at a media event with television cameras to record me presenting a silver gavel to the President of the College.
When it came my turn to make a little speech and present the silver gavel to the President, my nerves got the best of me and I said “I’m so nervous up here!”
That’s all I recall from the incident. I’m not sure how I finished the presentation, but I would expect it didn’t reduce my anxiety.
Nowadays, I would welcome the opportunity to present an award with the cameras on me.
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For further discussion on public speaking, speech development, communication skills and Toastmasters, visit the Live For Excellence Book Store for the following publications:
Blow Your Own Horn!: Personal Branding for Business Professionals
Power Networking For Shy People: How to Network Like a Pro
The Power of Persuasion: Mastering the Art of Influence
The Power of Promotion: Online Marketing For Toastmasters Club Growth
The Savvy Emcee: How to be a Dynamic Master of Ceremonies
Working With Words: Adding Life to Your Oral Presentations
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Rae A. Stonehouse is an author, speaker, and self-publishing consultant dedicated to helping others embrace constant improvement and overcome challenges. With over 40 years of experience as a Registered Nurse in psychiatry and mental health, Rae brings a wealth of knowledge and passion for self-development to his writing and presentations.
As a 25+ year member of Toastmasters International, Rae has systematically built his communication abilities and self-confidence to share his insights as an author and speaker. His self-help books and personal development presentations aim to have conversational one-on-one connections with readers and audiences.
Rae is known for his wry sense of humor and sage advice delivered in a relatable coaching style. After four decades as a nurse, Rae has rewired rather than retired, actively writing and pursuing public speaking. He strives to share lessons learned to help others achieve personal and professional growth.
To learn more about Rae and his approach to constant improvement, visit his website at Live For Excellence Productions or to learn more about his publications visit Live For Excellence Store
