However, you have no need to be afraid of distractions during such presentations, providing you know how to react to them.
Avoid being disturbed by distractions when speaking in public by using the following tips.
Typical causes of distractions
- There may be both external and internal sources and influences:
- Unexpected movement or noises
- Personal fear of public speaking and nervousness
- One's own thoughts (if you have some other tasks to complete later, you may lose focus)
To make a successful speech, you should not be thinking about personal issues even if you happen to be dealing with something serious at the same time. This may involve a sick family member or a relationship which seems to be falling apart; nonetheless, you need to concentrate exclusively on the delivery of your speech.
Put all internal distractions aside
If you need a few moments to refocus, that's fine. In fact, using pauses is a good way to gain and increase the attention of the audience. At the same time, you give yourself few moments to clear your mind and regather your thoughts.
In an article on his blog, famous coach Brian Tracy strongly recommends you strive to avoid thinking about your personal problems. Everything not related to your speech needs to stay out of your mind when your presentation is in progress. If you have an unpleasant thought about your personal issues anyway, try to get yourself back on track as quickly as you can, possibly by taking a quick look at your notes.
-jk-