Speaking of Empowerment

Not everyone can comfortably speak or perform in front of a lot of people. For some, it can even be a frightening experience which is to be avoided at all costs. Stage fright or performance anxiety affects a lot of people and some of the symptoms include anxiety and paranoia before, during and after a performance.

Even keynote and business speakers who are experienced and trained in public speaking can suffer from anxiety before a speech. While some people have the ability and presence of mind to remain cool and composed in stressful situations, most of us are geniuses as far as coming up with all the negative thoughts that may happen before and/or during a performance.

The context of the performance will often play a role in the amount of nerves someone experiences. A speaker can feel more or less anxious depending on whether they are on the stage by themselves, the number of people in the audience and if the evaluation is important for career prospects among other factors. For a larger audience, the speaker might experience more nerves. In a job interview, the applicant is more nervous in front of the manager than the secretary.

Variations Of Anxiety.

1.     Most common among sufferers of performance anxiety is a fluttery, unsettled sensation which slowly dies down once the speech has begun. When the speaker begins to feel calmer, this shows that they are able and willing to perform and the adrenaline may even make them better.

2.     Reactive anxiety is something which happens when the speaker or performer is not prepared enough or they do not have any public speaking skills. This will go away with practise and experience and of course, more public speaking. Business speakers get better in this way.

3.     What is most common with stage fright are the physical and emotional signs which can include sweating and shaking, an uneven voice, fear and panic and a quick heart rate. The thought that you will be unsuccessful at the speech is what causes these reactions.

Positive thinking is a way that the anxiety can be alleviated as they no longer think their performance will be bad. The performer should learn to accept the fear but use breathing exercises and practise to overcome the fearful triggers. You may discover that fear still remains, but you notice that you can handle it, as you are beginning to get the sense of enjoyment from your performance and from connecting with others.

Remembrance events are a time for reflection, for thanks and for respect for those who gave up their lives or suffered for the common good. however we never forget those who have suffered fighting for their country, which is easy to see in the outpouring of remembrance every November 11th and with the passing of the last soldiers who fought in WW1 earlier this year.

The modern wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have brought home just how easy it is to take our lives for granted, and as we reach the 100th death in Afghanistan in this year alone, there has been an outpouring of remembrance and thanks to those soldiers who still fight for our protection. Public displays of remembrance have been held around the country to thank and think about those who still serve, get injured or die in war. At events like these we can feel even closer to the soldiers through keynote speakers who can tell us of their firsthand accounts and touching words.

Keynote speakers are often thought of as third rate celebrities who will do any event so long as they are being paid. However, there are members of the armed forces and everyday citizens that have personally experienced battle, warfare and injury who speak at events such as these. When you are listening to a soldier who has seen people die and lived in a war zone it really does make you realise just what soldiers go through and your respect increases.

However, the keynote speakers at these events will make it a speech full of optimism and hope rather than despair and sadness, because what we achieve on the battle field and what we have achieved, has shaped our success as a  leader on the global stage. We have become a fair democracy that treats all our citizens correctly and our army now fights to keep it that way from enemies of democracy.

Attending a university graduation ceremony is a proud moment for the grandaunts and their parents who have supported their child for the past three, four or five years as they completed their chosen degree. Working towards a degree will bring you the chance to have a successful career, brighter job prospects and a life changing time away from home. The ceremony should celebrate the achievements of the attendees, and well chosen keynote speakers are one of the best ways that this can be done.

Whilst I fully support those people who decide not to go to university, choosing a keynote speaker who has not experienced a university life is sheer foolishness on the part of graduation organisers. Going straight into a job after leaving school is a life completely different than if you choose to go to university for three or four years, and keynote speakers will not be able to relate with their audience if they have not gone through the same experiences.

University life makes you more independent. You are faced with situation where you might be forced to live with people you do not get along with, you have to make new sets of friends and you have to be financially organised to be able to budget your loan or get a part time job to help with living costs. All of these things can only be learnt whilst at university.

When you decide to go into a proper job straight after leaving school, most people still live with their parents for a few months, even years and they have their washing done for them and meals cooked, you have a stable wage which university students do not have and if you do move out you choose the people you are living with. And contrary to most people’s beliefs, those who do go to university mostly pay for the experience themselves by getting a part time job. Working through the holidays and paying of their loan once they have left.

So when it comes to the time when graduation organisers are planning the day, the keynote speakers should be checked to see if they have been to university. If they have not been they will not be able to give a speech that targets their audience.

At a political event, industrial convention or academic event there will often be a keynote speech given to outline the main message or  theme of the occasion. The person who gives the speech normally has some affiliation with the audience, for example they are a successful business man or renowned scholar. A lot can be achieved by good keynote speakers as they can benefit their own career and influence the audience they are speaking to.

When there is an electoral campaign in America, the keynote speeches given at the rallies can be very influential. politicians can raise their profile at these events like Barack Obama did at the 2004 democratic national Convention. p Sometimes they can influence the course of the election if they are delivered well with a strong message. Similar speeches are given at political conventions and party meetings across the globe.

When there are graduation ceremonies at colleges and universities there are keynote speeches given by academics or celebrities. These speeches are usually ones of celebration and have a light hearted message.

An event organiser will often use a keynote speaker to gain publicity for their event and more attendants, especially if the event is sponsored by a corporation or business. Picking a keynote speaker who is well known for his or her expertise in a certain sector, or is famous for their other accomplishments, will probably raise excitement among prospective attendees for a meeting or conference.

most speeches last for 30 to 60 minutes although you can get shorter and longer ones if required. Some keynote speakers will speak at an event or conference for no fee as they often gain a lot of publicity from it and many events are organised for charity. Corporate and sponsored events usually pay their speakers because they are given sponsorship, the speaker will receive a pre0arranged fee for giving their speech.