Nervous Mannerisms
| What do you do when you are nervous? Everyone has different reactions to nervousness. By being aware of your particular nervous mannerism, you can work to overcome them. Here are some common mannerisms exhibited when giving a speech.
Do you do any of them?
| Bite your fingernails Tap your feet Wave your hands/arms Play with your hair Move around a lot Speak too fast Speak too slowly Stiffen up Shake/Shudder Play with objects in pockets, etc. Make strange facial expressions
| Say "uh," "uhm" Tap on the table/podium Repeat yourself Breathe heavily Sweat Giggle Pause inappropriately Clam up/Become speechless Shift your eyes Move your head around Gesture inappropriately
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Becoming aware of what you do is the first step to overcoming nervous mannerisms.
Ask a friend to watch (or videotape) you when you give a speech.
Have him/her tell you candidly about your mannerisms and presentation skills (both positive and negative).
Practice your speech in front of a mirror, or ask your friend to observe you rehearse.
Think positively about what you do well and focus on that rather than the negative.
Be enthusiastic about what you have to say and share with others.
