The jitters

I assume cajunspirit will relate to this topic since he deals with communication or public speaking in large crowds, unless i have misinterpreted his position at his job.

I have a problem with formal presentations. I am quite terrible with conversations of a professional sort, as i tend to stammer and stutter at an acute level. Simply, the thought of speaking to customers professionally leaves my thought process moving at an exponential rate. Although my speech is as equally as devastating as my physical reaction to construct a cohesive claim, statement, or point, my mind goes into a shut down mode where my body follows.

Ex: I have sudden intense skittish movements that leaves trainees thinking that I am on crack-cocaine, or they think I\'m going through the good ol\' case of an epileptic attack or that i suffer from parkinson once i take the stand to give my speech to the students in classes.

Hell, I don\'t know how to solve this problem!

I have taken many public and personal speech courses, but they don\'t seem to work once i begin to present my lectures.

YET!!!!!! I Have found a possible alternative, and I am good with stand up because the idea of entertaining people with jokes and a goofy and friendly persona is much easier than a rigid one.

One thing i avoid: I do not talk to telemarketers or any phone company and television company by phone. I must see them in person or else i start to feel and speak nervously to these people.

Unlike you, I didn\'t join the military. Well, if it helps you understanding my situation much more, I use to be a perform in a band, so i was comfortable playing on stage in front of a large audience with music that sounds like noise, and i was in the debate team since i was an avid reader of politics, science and art&literature...

But if i was forced on stage to a large crowd with only a deck of cards of information to read from, a veil of shyness would harden like stone, so i would be stiff as a rock (no pun intended).

I have to move freely in order to escape the terror of stage fright, and i can\'t for some of these speeches.

On a side note, I have become the antagonist to p-angel. Consider my avatar the bizzaro angel to p-angels one.

I would freeze like a deer in the headlights during Oration at school. Believe it or not, do you know what helped me the most? Waitressing. No kidding. Now it's nothing for me to march right on up and speak to someone, anyone. It also helped shrug off the case of the nerves in larger surroundings where you feel like the prize roast in a group of starving carnivores. *nudging* You know, where everyone examines you like you're the shiniest beetle under the microscope.
I also compartmentalize things in my head. Focus locks down and things get done. Keeps the inner geek I harbor calm and collected so I can do the damned thing.

I'm the type to just stand there frozen and speed talk. I won't make eye contact, will just try to see what I have to say as a roll of parchment slowly unscrolling in my head, and when it was all over FINALLY make eye contact, but in an "I DARE you all to ask me a question" sort of way.

Hahahaha

Well I have been groomed into it. I have done the readings at mass, read a poem to a large crowd, been in some TV adverts and newspaper adverts. Been on the news and some educational programs.

Most folks in my family are teachers and I grew up debating with them, not running around with children playing in drains. I think my Mercury in Libra helps me to be a slick talker, but I do get the jitters from time to time.

Knowing your audience is key and after lecturing for over a year to small classes, giving motivational speeches and career guidance, it was just a matter of practice.

My fire-y chart probably helps too.

Hey thanks for the advice guys. I am going to try some of your guys methods to see if I can cut out this habit of mine. Again, thank you for your advice. 🙂

@MrSorti: you will be a teacher? That's great! i've always got the impression virgo people have that quality to present things in the most simpple and understandable way.
You can do it!Wish you success in this new area

nah, I assist people nothing more. I was asked, but i don\'t want to be a professor. I am comfortable where I am.