How to Be Prepared for Impromptu Speaking

On occasion we find ourselves in situations where we must speak extemporaneously. It could be a business meeting, a church group, or an issue of importance to us personally at the city council level. There are ways to be prepared for such moments.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Practiced Articulation
• Anger Control
• Knowledge of the Subject
• Self-confidence

1. Practice articulation daily. When speaking, enunciate so you can be understood. Avoid mumbling and extra words or pauses using er and ah. If you have a fondness for four letter words, try to eliminate them from your daily speech. This builds your confidence in your ability to speak in a proper manner.
2. Speak calmly and knowledgeably about a topic. In your daily life, practice keeping calm when people press your hot buttons. The more you practice at home and at work, the better you will become at anger control. When someone hits your hot button, take a deep breath or two before you respond. You may also need to give yourself a slow count of three before your respond. Deep breathing gives oxygen to your brain and is a quick release for rising anger.
3. When uncomfortable, you can always state that you do not have enough information on this subject to speak knowledgeably. When you put yourself in a situation of a group at church, at work or at a meeting, you should prepare so you will be able to address the subject at hand intelligently. This means putting a little study into your life. As long as we live we should be learning. This is an opportunity to learn whether or not you are called on to speak.
4. Exude self-confidence. Self-confidence comes from preparation and knowing you are able to meet the challenge of speaking on a particular subject.

Tips & Warnings

• The best tip is to take a speech class. Many moan at the thought, but speech classes teaches you how to prepare and gives you tips on controlling nervousness.
• Even if you never plan to speak, speech class helps you develop a manner of speaking which is easily understood.
• If you are not prepared, there is no shame in turning the floor over to someone else who is prepared. Of course, if you were asked in advance to speak, then this is not extemporaneous and you should meet your obligation.