Doreen Hamilton

Be Yourself: The 7th Secret to Fearless Speaking

You can be yourself and speak without fear The confidence to express yourself and speak in any situation is liberating. When you know who you are, then a strength from within guides and supports you as you face life’s daily challenges. You can be more genuine in all of your communications. Not only can you accept a new promotion that requires you to give presentations to large audiences, you can also share more of your tender vulnerability with your loved ones. Whether in business or in … [Read more...]

Filed Under: 7 Steps to Fearless Speaking, Find Your Voice Tagged With: Public Speaking

Connection: The 6th Secret to Fearless Speaking

“The secret to speaking without fear when you are talking to a group is to connect with one person at a time and simply speak conversationally.” Most people experience a connection when they are speaking one-to-one with another person. It is when they speak in front of a group that many people begin to feel afraid and lose the connection to themselves and to their listeners. Connection with yourself As long as I take a breath in and let it out, I am connected to myself. I can feel my … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Find Your Voice Tagged With: Connection, Essential Speaking, Fear of Speaking, Public Speaking

Being Positive: The 5th Secret to Fearless Speaking

What makes a positive attitude so attractive? Someone who has a positive attitude is like a ray of warm sunshine that brings me happiness. When that person smiles in a genuine way I can feel the warmth radiating from every cell in their body. He or she lights up the moment for me. Isn’t this true for you? Just think about your circle of friends. Identify the friend who has the most positive energy. How do you feel when you are around this person? How does being positive reduce your fear of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Find Your Voice, Tips for Public Speaking

Deep Listening: The 4th Secret to Fearless Speaking

As a Psychologist, the listening I offer is deep, arises from my heart, is full of curiosity, and does not judge. This pure quality of listening allows people to feel safe and gives them the courage to speak without fear. What I’ve noticed is that most people don’t carry within themselves such a kind and compassionate listener. They walk around and imagine others are listening to them in the same way as they are listening to themselves–with a harsh and critical ear. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Find Your Voice, Self Talk, Tips for Public Speaking Tagged With: Anxiety, Confidence, Fear of Speaking, Overcome Fear of Speaking

Deep Listening: The 4th Secret to Fearless Speaking

As a psychologist, the listening I offer is deep, arises from my heart, is full of curiosity, and does not judge. This pure quality of listening allows people to feel safe and gives them the courage to speak without fear. What I've noticed is that most people don't carry within themselves such a kind and compassionate listener. They walk around and imagine others are listening to them in the same way as they are listening to themselves--with a harsh and critical ear. Therefore, speaking in … [Read more...]

Filed Under: 7 Steps to Fearless Speaking, Find Your Voice, Self Talk, Tips for Public Speaking Tagged With: Anxiety, Confidence, Fear of Speaking, Overcome Fear of Speaking

Awareness: The 3rd Secret to Fearless Speaking

I used to be very uncomfortable with eye-to-eye contact. It was awkward and made me feel uneasy, especially if I didn’t know the person. So speaking in front of a group was even more challenging since there were so many eyes staring back at me. Standing and looking out at a sea of eyes was as terrifying as looking out at a sea full of sharks. Why people are afraid to look at each other Many people find that they avoid looking at each other … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Find Your Voice, Tips for Public Speaking Tagged With: Being Present, Being Real, Eye Contact, Fear of Speaking, Public Speaking

Presence: The 2nd Secret to Fearless Speaking

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To be present is to be free of fear To be fully present, in the center of the now, is to be free of fear. It is when you think back to an unpleasant memory or when you look ahead at the possibility of being judged by others that the waves of fear begin to move through your body and start to crash upon the shores of your sense of self-confidence. You leave the present moment and enter a moment that belongs to the past or you travel ahead which is a moment that lives in the future. Past … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Find Your Voice Tagged With: presence

Silence: The 1st Secret to Fearless Speaking

“A silent mind is far more precise, accurate, and powerful than anything that is contained in the boundaries of rational thought.” Deepak Chopra Be silent When people come to my programs on overcoming the fear of speaking, they are always surprised to see that I begin my 7 steps to Fearless Speaking with “Be Silent.” Immediately they know they are not in a conventional course like other classes that often stress how to craft and organize a speech or how to make dramatic … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Find Your Voice Tagged With: Being Present, Confidence, Fear of Speaking, Fearless Speaking, Overcome Fear of Speaking, Public Speaking

Speaking Without Fear

My goal here is to inspire you to find the power of your real voice, to not be afraid to speak up, and to make the changes you deeply desire. Your dreams: One can dream, but it takes action; and action will most likely involve speaking to others. For instance, what if you are no longer happy at your job and you start to imagine working somewhere else? You may look at other opportunities, but to actually inquire, you will need to talk to someone. What if you are afraid to interview? You … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Find Your Voice Tagged With: Authentic Speaking, Fear of Speaking

Authentic Speaking in Business

Are You Being Authentic? When you speak, your listeners will have their radar up looking to see if you are for real and to determine whether they can trust you are not. Regardless of what you are presenting, they want to be impressed and inspired by YOU. Are you afraid to be seen? Are you hiding behind your words? To reach others in a truly memorable and meaningful way, you need to be authentic. The challenge is clear…be yourself. Robert Rabin of RealTime Speaking writes about authentic … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Find Your Voice Tagged With: Authentic Speaking, Being Real, Fear of Speaking, Public Speaking, Speaking Circles