Public Speaking
Posted on Tuesday, 8th January 2008 @ 1:05pm
Asslaamu Alaykum!
Right, i've been asked to do a talk on Muharram but i'm in two minds. I'm thinking, what if i get up and start talking and mess up halfway but on the flipside, i'm thinking about all the baraka i will get.
I aint shy but i've never done public speaking before. I need some naseeha!
Jazakumullahu khayr!
Ma'asalaama
25 June 2005
11 hours 15 min
Salam
Just think you are talking to some primary school children, and you will be fine.
Most of your audience will be like children who know less than you.
Therefore, they wont spot any mistakes in your speech.
The few who may know more, and I doubt that very much, the will be impressed with whatever you say anyway.
Noor:
Thou art indeed Light.
Shine ye like Husain so Bright
Impress all with knowledge thy Might.
Omrow
---
21 November 2006
3 hours 53 min
ok, first things first, you should definately do the talk if you are able; any beneficial information that you pass on will give you reward, and even if you were to pass away you would still be getting rewards. You've heard the hadith about the hand that gives being superior to the one that recieves? well, its the same with educating people on matters of faith.
I've had to give a few talks over the past few years (mainly to say 'look! a white guy'), and at first I was really nervous, but Alhamdulillah I'm ok now. One thing I try to always remember is that the people watching you don't wish for you to fail (insha'Allah).
If the worst was to happen and you did freeze with stagefright or forget what you are saying.... honestly noone will mind (or even notice). What you feel is a long pause is in reality only a few seconds. Loads of times I've spoken to people after they've had to give a speech and they're like "I made loads of errors"/"I was so nervous" and I have honestly not noticed.
But there are a few useful tips to keep you from messing up:
Keep a focal point to look up at, so you don't constantly look downwards at the page you are reading from. Otherwise people won't be able to hear your voice very well. You might get nervous if you look directly at the audience so pick a spot on the wall above their heads to look at while speaking. It feels a bit strange at first (staring into space above people's heads), but if you're in the audience it doesn't look weird at all.
Alternatively, choose someone who you feel comfortable with to be your 'safe eyes'. Tell them this before hand so they don't get freaked out, and during the talk just make eye contact with them instead of looking down at your piece of paper. That way, you kinda forget about the other people in the audience and feel as if you're just telling that one person, which isn't daunting, is it?
Once you've prepared the speech, practice it out loud and in full, at least two or three times. Ask one of your siblings to listen and if they're not available do it in front of a mirror (you may feel silly doing it but its WELL worth it). This way you won't get weirded out when you hear your own voice during the speech.
Finally, and I'm sure you know this already, but you have to keep reminding yourself constantly, is to keep your intention purely for the sake of Allah (swt). I'm sure your intention is correct, but Shaitan is very crafty and will try to make you feel proud of giving the talk or you'll wonder about who might be watching you etc. The only way to combat this is to make du'aa to Allah (swt) and to keep making zhikr. I'm sure you'll start the talk by saying 'authubillahi minash-Shaitanir rajeem, bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim', but also say this privately to yourself before going up in front of everyone, and make sure you register the meaning of what you are saying in your heart.
The frown of a friend is better than the smile of a fool.
25 June 2005
2 weeks 4 days
Go for it Sis. Public speaking is tough - and doesnt get easier with practise though.
Main thing is not to stress - not to worry about what others think.
Its an honour and I know you'll do it justice.
Yaqubs advice is great - keep to the 'safe' eyes (in my case I usually avoided the ones that were trying to make me giggle) - be natural, dont rely too much on the paper that is in front of you, dont talk too fast.
Sincerity of intentions is what makes it easier. Cos you start thinking less of what others think, and more about what Allah thinks.
Oh, and talking in front of adults is not easier than talking in front of primary aged kids. Cos adults, always pay attention out of politeness (even if you put them to sleep) - but kids are too honest for their own good - and if they think you're a 'joker' or 'chatting crap' they dont hesitate to tell you.
2 August 2005
7 weeks 2 days
go for it
before you start, and finish, and anytime u get stuck - just read darud sharif.......it will help you
stay calm as u can, u wont be able to get rid of nerves totally
but like witj all things, u dont knw whats gona happen until you done it 1st tym
after that, inshallah u will be able to do public speaking with ease
i would say defo go go for it
Inshallah u gona do great
hows that for motivation
The Lover is ever drunk with love;
He is free, he is mad,
He dances with ecstasy and delight.
Caught by our own thoughts,
We worry about every little thing,
But once we get drunk on that love,
Whatever will be, will be.
ɐɥɐɥ
12 September 2005
1 week 2 days
G g g go for it
T t t try not to stutter
LOL jus kiddin. Its a lil nerve rackin, but if uve prepared properly, once u started talkin, a few minutes in ur nerveousness wares off.
I remember I spoke at a big mosque event, I was told I had to do the talk 10 mins before I was to do it. I thought oh god, n decided to do a runner... Nah jus kiddin, I went n wrote sum stuff on paper, planned it out, n jus got on stage, n wham, I didded it all good
For my Uni course we always have to talk and do presentations for various groups of people, best thing is to prepare the stuff n run through the whole talk in ya head before u go in there. It helps a lot. But with a Mosque talk you dont have to worry much bout timing so its all good.
N if you mess up, make sure u tell us all about it
_____________- -SupeRazor- -_______________
Some ppl make their goals the stars.
They may live n die n never reach the stars,
but in the darkness of the night, those stars will guide them to their destination.
Becuz they made them in their eyesight
4 April 2006
13 sec
i'm going for it, got a sign.
i put on a lecture by qibla '4 categories of supreme people'. shaykh did his opening and gave the title of the lecture 'the martyrdom of imam hussain ra'
i though subhaan'Allah, this must be a sign for me to do a talk. out of all the dvds i have, i happened to insert this one.
does this ever happen to anyone else. well not exactly the same scenario but along the same lines.
(and i can go of topic cz its my thread!
)
jaazakumullahu khairan for the tips! barakAllahu feekum!
24 June 2005
1 min 29 sec
Just ask yourself "What's the worst that could happen?"
Note: If you are the panicky type, that could have the exact opposite effect...
People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day.
2 August 2005
7 weeks 2 days
yup i knw what you mean
ur wondering about something, and Allah SWT puts the right option in ur path
or ur wondering about something, and the answer comes to u itself....Allah SWT's guidance
and one of the beauties of teh Quran Sharif........reading the translations, its like you can relate everytime
i digressed too from the topic, but only coz the threadstarter did
The Lover is ever drunk with love;
He is free, he is mad,
He dances with ecstasy and delight.
Caught by our own thoughts,
We worry about every little thing,
But once we get drunk on that love,
Whatever will be, will be.
ɐɥɐɥ
24 June 2005
2 hours 23 min
Find a spot at the back of the hall and stare at it as you're speaking (gives the illusion that you're actually looking at people)
Project your voice so that people at the back can hear it.
And make a few jokes... preferably something relevant to what you're talking about... i recommend something that happened to you ... in relation to the subject.
nosce te ipsum