I have been asked to speak at a meeting for the first time and I am really nervous. I would really appreciate some pointers and I am very anxious and I get anxiety speaking in front of a group. I am speaking on Sunday, November 7 and I could use some feedback before then. I just want to be confident but I have low self-esteem and it eats me up inside. Please help....
SOMETHING VALUABLE TO SHARE- a SIMPLE HONEST MESSAGE OF RECOVERY FROMADDICTION ALWAYS RINGS TRUE! If your nervous,say your nervous,that usually helps!!!I used to take failing grades in school because I coulnd'nt do public speaking.(light years ago,seems like).... For me(If sharing my story) I always ask the God of my understanding to help me share a clear honest message of recovery and then speak briefly on where I started ,where I went and where I am at now.I usually elinminate any long 'drugalogue" and focus on the benefits of trusting in my Higher Power,working in the solution of our Program Narcotics Anonymous (steps/traditions/concepts)and other facets of our program,sponsorship,service,making meetings,staying connected etc..We all have our own story that helps us identify with the disease of addiction and we remember that the "newcomer" is the most important person in the room "as we keep what we have by giving it away!!You'll be fine,Let God speak thru you, there is no format,even the person with years of recovery gets nervous at times.Remember ,just because we got clean ,dont mean we became profound,spiritual,stand up comedic speakers, sharing is not a competitive sport,we just remember to be honest and know we are among people just like "us".
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Our purpose is to remain clean,just for today,and to carry the message of recovery.
Just remember that we all have had those feelings of anxiety the first time we shared. I agree with Mike if you start your share with how you are feeling in that moment it is a good place to start and an honest way to start and an honest share is a good share. I can still remember when I first started going to meetings I had to be shamed into sharing, I was going for a few weeks and just couldn't find the courage to share, every timed I was asked I would go bright red and say not today thank you. When I finally got up there I was shaking like a leaf, I couldn't get my breath and I think my share lasted about 3mins, but in doing that I learnt that I could face my fears and each time I shared I became more and more confident. Today it's hard to shut me up once I get up there lol.............
Hi, and welcome to our loving little support group. I remember the first time I was asked to speak. I was nervous for sure. The thing that helped me the most was that right after I was introduced, I said to the group, "Please take a moment of silence with me as I pray to my higher power that my sharing is honest and from the heart" After a minute of silent prayer, I took a deep breath and just started talking. It went very well. Please let us know how it went for you.
Thanks to all of you, I am now looking forward to my speech and I am getting the courage that I need. My cousin is also doing it for the first time tonight and I am going to observe because if she can do it, I know that I can, too. Thanks again for the encouragement and support and I will update how it went when the time comes.