| You may be wondering what a Lifestyle Training | | | | bosses, or vice versa (to make a report to our |
| Company has to do with Public Speaking. | | | | workforce), to give a vote of thanks at a formal |
| For many years at our Lifestyle Centre we trained | | | | gathering, or to express ourselves at an important |
| therapists to treat the whole person and not just | | | | interview. |
| symptoms, thus giving relief from many problems of | | | | A phobia is a very real and intense feeling of fear |
| the mind and the body. | | | | generated by something, which does not actually pose |
| We found that one of the main causes of health | | | | any genuine threat to us. Yet it is so intense that it |
| problems today is STRESS and one of the most | | | | often prevents us from doing even some very simple |
| stressful things and one that creates tremendous fear | | | | things, which may in fact, have a dramatic effect on |
| and trepidation is the act of Public Speaking. | | | | our lives. |
| It is very interesting to note that in a list of the things | | | | The response to our fear or phobia is mainly a mental |
| people fear most, the ultimate catastrophe, DEATH, | | | | one:- |
| came way down the list at No. 7. Can you guess what | | | | Our thinking becomes confused; we somehow cannot |
| came top of the list? Yes! - PUBLIC SPEAKING. | | | | recall even the simplest well-remembered facts; we |
| Apart from our main course on public speaking, we | | | | often have the sensation of blind panic. You've heard |
| have put together some articles and information that | | | | the expression, or indeed you may have experienced |
| we hope will make a difference. We want to help you | | | | it -"When I stood up to speak my mind just went blank |
| overcome that major fear and help you take | | | | and I froze" - often called "Stage Fright". |
| advantage of the many opportunities, which present | | | | If any "Audience Shy" person was asked by their |
| themselves to those who can express themselves in | | | | workmates, or colleagues in the pub, or their family and |
| a confident manner. | | | | friends gathered round the fire, to explain their job or |
| There are not too many hard and fast 'rules' in public | | | | favourite hobby, favourite football team or television |
| speaking, as it is very much an art, rather than an | | | | program, they would go on at great lengths, and often |
| exact science. However, there are certain guidelines, | | | | speak with great enthusiasm and wit. |
| which are followed by all effective speakers and we | | | | However, if most of us were to be asked to stand up |
| hope this series of short articles will direct you along | | | | in front of even a small gathering and formally present |
| those lines, and encourage you to stand up and 'say | | | | ourselves to them, things suddenly feel different. |
| your piece' with confidence, in all circumstances. | | | | Transport the situation and same person from small |
| Let's first of all consider the horrible elements of stress | | | | gathering on to the platform of a large hall and he is |
| or indeed distress that seem to affect all of us when | | | | struck dumb. |
| asked to utter a few sentences in public. | | | | Yet there is no fundamental difference between a |
| Some examples - nervous churning of the stomach; | | | | large audience and a small group of friends. It is the |
| nausea; sweating; trembling; dry mouth; blushing, | | | | reaction of our minds to the situation, which causes us |
| dizziness; rapid, pounding heartbeat; fast breathing, | | | | to "freeze" and experience the horrible feelings of |
| even breathlessness and often the mind goes | | | | "stage fright". |
| completely blank. | | | | We often refer to these feeling as "Nerves" and state |
| So, you've all been there! Unfortunately, those who | | | | that we are far too nervous to speak in public. |
| have had a distressing experience never forget it and | | | | Well I hope to help overcome those dreaded nerves |
| in some cases the fear of speaking in public becomes | | | | with a few short articles with information and tips that I |
| a phobia, and that "Audience-Phobia" prevents them | | | | have gained from my experiences as a magician, |
| from taking advantage of many opportunities in life. | | | | entertainer and speaker. |
| It may be that we have to express our expert opinion | | | | So look out for the articles on "Overcoming The |
| at a works meeting, or to make a report to our | | | | Dreaded Nerves". |