Hi Fam. I've got almost 11 months off the booze and drugs. I got asked to speak at a victims impact panel class about my story and recovery. It's right around the corner and I am sooooo nervous I haven't even written one word and am tempted to flake help!
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Couldn’t even give you any advice on what to do or how to get over the nervousness. Just wanted to say congratulations on being sober for that much time. Seems impossible to me but I kno it’s possible l!! Good luck!!
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Congrats on the 11 months. When I have to do something like that I just try to keep in mind that my motive is to share my story and hopefully help someone… not necessarily to look/sound good while I’m doing it. It’s easier said than done though. I’m sure you’ll do great. It gets easier every time.
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I dunno why but when I have to do things like this chewing gum seems to help settle my nerves a bit. Congratulations on the 11 months and remember they are there to listen to your story not to tear you down. You got this.
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I’ve always had horrible anxiety with public speaking but I’ve spoke at a few meetings now. My sponsor told me to remember that it’s not about me, it’s about helping the newcomer. I pray a lot about it and I like having some notes down in front of me so I have something to follow when I blank. And it always goes much better than I expect it to. Good luck!
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I only started going to AA to become a better public speaker and in doing that I realized I was an alcoholic 
Jk but good luck! You got this!!
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Congratulations on your excellent work! As for the nerves, I personally don't like to speak in front of groups. But you're doing this to help others, so instead of getting anxious about what you're going to say just speak from your heart. Maybe write down some key words to follow and let the rest flow freely from your heart.
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Thank you everyone. I love you all!!!
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Oh. Try being a speaker for a zoom meeting. I'm going to try that to start.
Congrats on 11 months! That’s a long time to go without a drink or a drug.
I speak quite a bit. From my experience, don’t write anything. Just go and speak from the heart. It may not be perfect your first time, but people will appreciate you being genuine and vulnerable.
You’ve got this!
Good morning Danielle: It's both normal and human to feel nervous speaking in front of a group. But remember, these people are here specifically for your message; you're not trying to sell them something. Just pray and share honestly from your heart. Above all else, leave them with hope.
I have to speak occasionally for work. I have found preparing is important. Just some bullet points is good. Also keep in mind that you know exactly what you’re talking about. It’s your story and nobody else knows it like you. Finally deep breathing is helpful.
Good luck, I’m sure you will do great!
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The first two things that pop into my mind regarding YOUR speaking event are -
- focus on the importance of what you’re discussing & the impact you’ll be making. what you’re about to speak on doesn’t need to be perfect - it needs to be honest.
- just tell them your nervous. Let the cat out of the bag. open w “forgive me while I’m getting started here - this is important to me and I’m nervous because I want this to be meaningful for you” or something like that. Generally addressing it in the beginning will get the crowd on your side. You’re not performing standup or making a sales pitch, you know? You’re just offering your story and it needs to be heard.
They’ll want to see you succeed. Good luck!
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What I’ve done is just get up there and tell your story about your fabulous recovery journey. You will possibly hiccup along the way, but they’ll understand. Just tell your story. Public speaking isn’t the easiest, I know. Just relate your story.
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Just look into their eyes!! It makes it easy!! I had to give a speech to a room of strangers once.
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Danielle
Put a paper clip between your fingers… it’s stops you from focusing on the audience when you feel the paper clip.
Good luck!
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Hi Danielle: I’m an attorney and public speak all the time, but once upon a time, I was afraid to go to law school because I was afraid of public speaking. My best advice is to prepare a checklist of what you would like to say (not a diary of something you read off), look at your audience as a room full of family and friends whom you know, trust and are non-judgmental, and let it whorl! If you get a little subconscious and fearful and get off topic, glance at your notes and get back on topic. Make it almost conversational. Good luck. You can do it.
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Write some key words on 3 x 5 cards, it'll give you guidance on what to talk about.
Also, pick a few spots in the back of the room to stare at just above people's heads and also have someone you are comfortable with attend. You can stare at them while you speak, it may bring you stength.
You can do it, this is the ice breaker.
Good news is you don’t have to learn the topic, you know it already. Edwards advice was spot on. Write an outline, no ones there to judge. Figure out how you want your story to flow. Build the story and glance at the outline as you go to keep it going. These are public speaking tips generally speaking, when its talking about yourself and your journey, you can always just speak from the heart.
I always say a prayer before I begin and ask for clarity of mind and thought. And before I go in to speak anywhere I say a prayer and ask my HP to go in before me. Good luck and we all know it’ll go great! And please let us know how it went!