FabSwingers.com forum: Tips for being nervous?

By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

Hi all

I became a dementia friend back in September and I am giving my first talk tonight at work for relatives and conworkers and I am starting to feel a bit panicky about the whole thing, I wouldn’t mind but I’ve been on at boss to set something up since I did it!

Any tips for me?

Thanks geeky x

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

as long as you have the knowledge of what you’re speaking about you’ll be fine.......

and apparently picturing everyone naked helps too

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By *lue NarwhalMan
over a year ago

Iceland, but Aldi is closer..

"Hi all

Any tips for me?

Thanks geeky x"

Deal with the nerves up front and get them out of the way by meeting the people you are going to talk to, by knowing them a little you will feel more at ease.

Pick two focal points just above everybody's head height and focus on them rather than the people, fleeting facial expressions can be very distracting and finally, above all enjoy it, after all, it is only talking.

Good luck, im sure you will do fine.

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By *ryst In IsoldeWoman
over a year ago

your imagination

Nobody will notice your nerves. They're coming to hear you speak from the heart, to hear your experiences and in some cases to hopefully hear that their own thoughts/fears for the future are not unique and that their concerns are shared. You're a warm and giving person, let that shine and you'll be fine xx.

Well done on what you are doing by the way

as someone who cared for a relative with alzheimers for years I know how valuable those brief respites when someone like you called around are

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Is a big ole cliche, but confidence is key! As long as you know your stuff and are confident you're speaking up for the right reasons you'll come out having achieved something either way!

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By *wisted999Man
over a year ago

North Bucks

Know the “product” inside and out.

Be over before you know it and I’ll bet you enjoy it.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Talk slower than you would do normally. Don't be afraid of "white space" and pause. Use silences to allow things to sink in, to gather your thoughts and for effect.

Look around the room. You don't have to make eye contact with everyone, just make it look like you are.

I have been lecturing for years but still get nervous in front of crowds of strangers.

Imagine you are chatting to a friend and you'll be fine!

Good luck!

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

Thank you all so much, the snow is coming down thick now, I really hope they don’t cancel it, I’ve been building up to this for so long.

Thanks again x

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By *illionsandbillionsMan
over a year ago

Gwent

"Thank you all so much, the snow is coming down thick now, I really hope they don’t cancel it, I’ve been building up to this for so long.

Thanks again x"

All id suggest is dont overthink it...it always seems worse in your head than the actual event

.and have fun doing it..enjoy it..nerves are natural remember that...deep breathes before you start..but adrenaline is normal your human..hope it goes well and well done

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By *alcon43Woman
over a year ago

Paisley

Even if they do cancel it you know it’s for safety reasons.

Practice your presentation. Find a room and go through it. If you’re using PowerPoint make sure it’s set up. Have leaflets ready and a pen and paper for any questions. You may not have answers for everything but you can always check for them and get back to them with the information. Don’t be afraid to say you’ll check something first.

I temped in a day hospital and clinic doing clerical work and I didn’t realise a lot of things about dementia. It certainly was an eye opener.

Good luck with the presentation and let us know how it went.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

A subject close to my heart as my mum had Alzheimer's so thank you for the work that you do

with regard to nerves, I remember singing solo in a play and concentrated on looking at the optics at the back of the village hall, that helped

deep breaths and know you are doing a really good thing. Enjoy and good luck

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

i’m reminded of when i had to do my GCSE english oral, had to talk about something of interest to me in front of the entire class, i was bricking it at first but after a couple of minutes i was quite relaxed and able to bore the class to death about Nightmare on Elm Street

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"A subject close to my heart as my mum had Alzheimer's so thank you for the work that you do

with regard to nerves, I remember singing solo in a play and concentrated on looking at the optics at the back of the village hall, that helped

deep breaths and know you are doing a really good thing. Enjoy and good luck

Thank you, I’m actually an activity coordinator and my job can be very very hard sometimes (despite some people thinking I’m like a red coat at butlins!) my residents living with dementia are the ones very close to my heart, I care for different stages and sometimes I do an activity that sometimes their eyes light up and I see them as the person they once was, I did buttering bread the other week with them, I got laughed at by some staff because ‘that’s not an activity!’, well my residents that can’t communicate verbally anymore and that take no interest in my art and craft sessions, grabbed hold of that knife and spread that butter, their eyes told me a thousand things, it was simple yet for a few moments my residents were happy.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Take 5 minutes before hand. Clear your mind. Concentrate on breathing slowly, evenly and deeply. Only think about breathing.

It's nothing. It's just a moment in time, then it's gone.

You will be fine.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

It went well but due to weather not many attended but I did ok!! Thanks for all your tips xx

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Aw well done! I hate public speaking but done lots now for a charity I volunteer with and you just have to be confident and do your best x

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By *alcon43Woman
over a year ago

Paisley

"A subject close to my heart as my mum had Alzheimer's so thank you for the work that you do

with regard to nerves, I remember singing solo in a play and concentrated on looking at the optics at the back of the village hall, that helped

deep breaths and know you are doing a really good thing. Enjoy and good luck

Xx"

It’s the simple things that that take them back to their childhood. Could even just be the smell of Home baking. I’m sure buttering bread may seem simple to us but how many times as kids have we watched our Mum’s making us a sandwich.

You could get them to decorate biscuits or sponge cakes. I temped in an adult mental health ward as a ward clerk. They had coffee mornings, music afternoons, etc. It was great to see the activities they did.

How did your talk go?

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