Speech Buddy Videos

Video 2.1 described three techniques for managing speech anxiety and helping to deliver an effective speech. These techniques were visualization, relabeling, and relaxation. Visualization involves going somewhere quiet, standing as you would if you were giving your speech, and visualizing the speech going well and having a positive outcome. Relabeling is manipulating negative feelings or responses in such a way that they become positive. In simpler terms, change negative words to positive ones to help control your stress and physical tension. Relaxation uses three breathing techniques as a means to relax your body and mind. The first is diaphragmatic, which is essentially deep breathing from your diaphragm. The second is meditation breathing which is breathing that begins in the diaphragm yet focuses on every aspect of the breathing. The final breathing technique is tension-release breathing. This breathing blends diaphragmatic breathing with the release of tension in specific parts of the body.

Video 2.2 discusses the analysis of primary fears, and gives tips on how to overcome them. Visiting the location in which the speech will take place, employing visualization and relaxation techniques, and practicing the speech intro and conclusion are all helpful and logical steps to overcoming your fear of public speaking and/or helping you to feel comfortable in the speech setting. It's also important to choose a speech topic which interests you and to fully research that topic so that the content of your speech will be appropriate and effective.

Jessica's intro was interesting, well thought out, and effectively delivered. I like that she projected, made eye contact, and used hand gestures in her speech. When she projected her voice it made her speech easy to hear and follow. The eye contact made her come across as confident and well-organized. I enjoyed the hand gestures because it made the speech more lively and expressive. Another thing I liked is that she smiled and took her time in her speech, not rushing through or sounding like a robot.

I have already read and discussed in great detail visualization, relabeling, and relaxation, so I didn't necessarily learn much from the first video (although I find these techniques to be quite helpful). I actually learned the most from the second video. I thought it was both an interesting and logical tip to visit the location in which you will be presenting your speech. Although the thought had never  occurred to me before, it makes perfect sense. If you familiarize yourself with the setting, you will be more comfortable during your speech since you aren't in foreign territory. I feel that this is a simple, yet beneficial tip for helping to manage speech anxiety. Also, I agree that it helps to choose a topic in which you are interested in. After viewing video 2.2 I realized that I need to be selective in choosing my topics, and I must also be resourceful. Having all the facts not only beefs up the content of your speech, but makes it seem more valid and well-informed.

Visualization, Relabeling, and Relaxation

Visualization, relabeling, and relaxation are all very effective methods in helping to manage speech anxiety, gain confidence, and deliver an effective speech.
Visualization is when you imagine a successful presentation through thinking out your speech in a concrete, step-by-step manner, and seeing things going positively. This approach focuses on thinking about what will go RIGHT, as opposed to what will go WRONG. Often times, your attitude plays a major role in determining the success of your speech, as well as the amount of anxiety you feel. If you tell yourself the speech will go well, and you visualize positive steps leading to a positive outcome, your speech is likely to go swimmingly. You will be less stressed and more confident, because you have already accepted that the speech will turn out positively. Likewise, if you do not plan out the steps in your presentation, and you are plagued by terrible thoughts of failure and humiliation, your speech will be negatively impacted.
Relabeling is another technique which focuses on attitude and positive thinking. " Relabeling involves assigning positive words or phrases to the physical reactions and feelings associated with speech anxiety" (Coopman 29). This is a simple approach in which you substitute negative words or phrases for positive ones. This technique is helpful because it gives you a more positive outlook on public speaking. When you have a positive outlook, you are more likely to  feel confident or at least be able to manage your anxiety more efficiently.
Relaxation can help calm the body and reduce physical tension. Good breathing habits have been known to help reduce stress and nervousness (it sure helped me when I was in labor with my daughter *random*). There are three types of breathing exercises that are helpful in calming anxiety. The first is Diaphragmatic, which involves smoothe even breathing using your diaphragm (see page 29 of text for further explanation of breathing exercises). The second is Meditation breathing, which involves breathing with your diaphragm and focusing on every aspect of the breathing and how it feels. The third type of breathing exercise is Tension-Release breathing, which combines diaphragmatic breathing with the relaxing of specific parts of your body.

Public Speaking Apprehension

I feel that everyone has a certain degree of nervousness or fear when speaking in public. Personally, for the most part I am quite confident when speaking in public, but I am not without my little insecurities. The only difference is that I CHOOSE to quiet those insecurities to produce an air of confidence and self-assurance, which is then projected to the audience. In reading the material, I learned that often speech anxiety (fear of speaking in front of an audience) is largely in response to temperament. In analyzing my past fears of public speaking, and my present semi-comfortability, this fact makes perfect sense. There was a period in my life in which I had an intense fear of public speaking. This was also at a time when I had moved to a new city, and did not know anyone. I felt very uncomfortable and uncertain of how I would be perceived by my new peers. This is an example of the Uncertainty Reduction Theory (when individuals face an uncertain or unfamiliar situation, their level of anxiety increases). Being the new girl I dealt with some harsh treatment from peers, leaving me feeling insecure. It wasn't until I moved back to my home town and was reacquainted with friends and family  that my self-esteem started to rebuild, and I began gaining more confidence. As I gained confidence, my comfortability with public speaking increased as well. So essentially, as my personal confidence increased, so did my confidence in speaking in front of an audience. Because I felt happy and comfortable in my surroundings, I became a very outgoing person who LOVED to talk! This is something that I feel shows through in my public speaking.
The spotlight effect (the belief that other people observe us more critically than they really do) has had a previous effect on my public speaking in the past, and still effects my speaking in front of an audience today. That is not to say that I'm a nervous wreck my entire speech, wondering what people are thinking about me. I feel that the spotlight effect effects everyone to some degree. As human beings, we  naturally overanalyze and wonder how others are perceiving us. The only difference is that some people allow those thoughts to overwhelm them, while others may accept them and push them aside. Personally, although I of course may wonder what others will think of my presentation, that is the farthest thing from my mind when I am actually speaking. I choose to push those negative thoughts out of my head and be confident in MYSELF. Because if you portray yourself as a confident person, others will have confidence in you as well :)

Introductory Post

Hello :) I must admit, it feels a bit strange to write about myself when I am doing so under an alias...here goes...I am 22 years old (in a few days), and am a wife, mother, AND expectant mother. Until I had my 1 year old, I had always been heavily in to sports and was somewhat of a workaholic. Since I had her my focuses have shifted back to my schooling. I am currently a homemaker, so I enroll in online classes in order to take advantage of the flexible schedule.
This may be my first communications class, but good communication skills have been very important in my working life. In both of my previous occupations I held managerial positions in which GREAT communication was key. Along with work ethic and personality, my communication skills were a major contributor in my successful work life. I have been out of the game for quite a while though, so I'm sure the public speaking practice will do me a lot of good!
I have attended Sierra College since Fall of 2011, and will be transferring to Sac State in Fall of 2013. I am planning to get my degree in Social Work, and will then move on to get my masters. I am excited for this semester (as it will be my last one at Sierra College), and I am both nervous and excited to transfer to a University!
I look forward to getting to know everyone, and I wish you all luck this semester!