Blog #3

After reading the chapters it did not take me long to decide what I wanted to focus this last blog on. Speech anxiety is something that affects a lot of people and for many different reasons, for me I could really relate to the Spotlighting theory. I never knew that what I suffer from is so common that there is a term for it. When I get up in front of a crowd a million things are going through my mind, how is my hair, am I mumbling, do the people care about what I am saying and the list goes on. If I happen to stumble on a word or make a mistake in my presentation I can feel my face turning red and it as if the temperature in the room has gone up 100 degrees. Over the years I have managed to control this and I feel like with age I am getting better. Right now seems like the perfect time for me to be taking this class because I am currently looking for a job, and I know that being more comfortable speaking will only give me that more of an edge on the competition. With the economy the way it is I know that any help I can get is for the better. I hope that all the things I learn in this class will only help me to progress in becoming a better more confident speaker.

Public Speaking

Public speaking for me is a sort of love hate relationship. I am not anxious about speaking in front of groups of people, but there are times when if I am not prepared or completely comfortable with a class that I do get nervous. After reading through chapter 2 however  feel a little more normal knowing that I am not alone. I can definitely relate to many of the terms that the book uses as common issues with anxiety. The "Spotlight effect" is something that almost always trips me up when giving a presentation or speaking in front of a group. If I even mess up a little I become way too focused on the mistake and allow that to send the rest of my presentation into a downward spiral.
I can also relate to the "Uncertainty reduction theory". When I am in a new environment or around new people I tend to be more nervous then normal. I take those nerves and shut down and become introverted. Hopefully in taking this class however I can learn to work on some of these issues and become more comfortable speaking in front of class. I plan on practicing some of the techniques mentioned in the chapter to deal with some of my anxieties such as using positive wording instead of focusing on the negative (Relabeling). I know practicing my speech will help significantly with my anxiety.

Hello,
 I am taking public speaking because I hope to one day become an elementary school teacher. It has always been a passion of mine. This is my 6 semester at sierra, I was enrolled for about 3 semesters seven years ago and am now returning hoping to complete all my necessary General Education so I can continue to move forward toward my teaching credential.

I have two small children and they keep me very busy. My oldest boy just started kindergarten and soccer and that is enough to fill my days. My youngest is one and he is a walking terror. Right now he loves to get into everything and just keep my on my toes, plus he is a huge momma's boy!

I look forward to this class and seeing how much my speaking improves throughout the semester!