Public speaking is a topic that makes most people turn the other way and run. Especially in today's society the inclination is rather to sit in front of a computer rather than to engage in a real conversation one on one let alone speaking before a group of people. This can be damaging to the long term progress of an individual. Expressing thoughts and ideas in front of others is a lifelong endeavor to master. Although there are those who actively have the gift of presentation everyone can learn something new each and every time they get up in front of individuals who's intent is to hear what you have to say. The following are points that I have found vital and crucial to the quality and experience of a given lecture or address before any group of people:

1. No matter what – DON'T RUN! If you want to improve your quality and comfort of public speaking you must actively place yourself in positions where you have the opportunity to do so. A teenager can regularly give a presentation for his or her family for added practice. This is a very good way to start out with small groups. Openly engaging in service opportunities can help an individual present themselves and their intents to people they don't know. Plus it also helps their skill in gaining their trust. Remember – quality experience must be sought after and painfully endured and is rarely processed within through easy occasions of opportunity.

2. KNOW THE MATERIAL. When all eyes are on you it is extremely easy to spot when someone really does not know what they are talking about. Study and know the curriculum and then you will be able to extend that knowledge to others. Public speaking is truly psychological. You do not have to present all knowledge you acquired in your studies. Doing so may extend your presentation beyond the intended limit. However, in your presentation the depth of knowledge will manifest itself in your gestures and control of the subject.

3. PRACTICE REALLY DOES MAKE PERFECT. Only through practice can you not only be comfortable with the address but also know what to use and not use for material in order to meet the required time limit. One way to practice is to repeatedly speak it out as if before an audience. This will reveal content balance of your delivery. Another mode of practice is speak it out using audio recording. It is vital to note that how you sound to yourself is far from how you sound to someone else. Play back the audio and listen to it from an audience perspective. You will be shocked! Yet another mode is to use video recording. Gestures is everything in public speaking. A visual record will show you if you are using your hands a certain way that may be breaking the audience attention. Are you pacing excessively in repeated motions? Are you using, “um” far too much? Knowing yourself and your subconscious habits early and now will benefit you immensely down the road.

4. CRITIQUING. Invite and be open to constructive criticism. It's not meant to hurt your feelings but to help you. The more open you are the more apt you are to learn and improve. This give someone, not you, a chance to preview your address and presentation. Give them the opportunity to help you be better.

5. DRESS THE PART. All parts of your delivery must tie one with another. A suit and tie may not be the best clothing to wear to deliver an address about a recent safari trip. Likewise, wearing street clothes may not be the best attire to speak at a funeral or religious service. Even the room, itself, should meet your delivery needs. Does the setting accommodate the content of your speech. If not then perhaps put some safari pictures on the walls or some doctrinal precepts of your address affixed behind you. Basically you want the entire setting to channel or focus the audience's attention in your direction.

To this day after many years of deliveries of many addresses I still get uneasy and my hands get cold. However, by implementing the above points I am now confident after my presentations that I have delivered everything I intended on and am satisfied with how it was presented. Every individual on the face of the Earth has something to say and share that would be of profound worth to someone listening. Part of the problem is that we don't really feel we have much to share. Once you've overcome this fallacy you will find a new world of blossoming ideas that you will be ready to share throughout your life.