Deliver the Message

Whether you are writing a paper or giving a speech, sometimes it’s hard to find the right words. Frustration can be turned into positive energy though by working through the ABC steps, such as:

A=Actual event: “I just gave a speech in my personal health class and was so nervous that at the beginning my mind went blank, my hands shook, and I stumbled over my words.”

B=Beliefs: “Nothing is more frightening for me than getting up before a group. I’m sure everyone in class was laughing at me. I’m just not good at public speaking and never will be.”

C=Challenge: “I’m embarrassed about my presentation.”

“I know I’m not alone. Many people rank public speaking as a major fear. Several students have told me that they suffer from stage fright, too. As I’m more critical of myself than others, I’m sure it went better than I thought. Even so, it was a good learning experience to help me realize I need to be better prepared and relaxed when I present.”

“I know that public speaking is a skill that can be learned with practice. It’s definitely worth the effort since it’s a skill I can use in both school and career. If I visualize myself remaining calm and confident and avoid negative self-talk, I know I will improve.”

Practice the ABC Method of Self-Management

Complete Worksheet 9.1 in your text, or develop a related scenario using theABC Template (24.0K) such as dealing with writer’s block.