Boost your Confidence with these 10 Steps I know you usually find me guiding you to be present and connected when you’re speaking, however… …as I’m preparing to give a presentation myself… I wanted to share the 10 steps I personally go through to create content and structure my talk… 1. Know the content you want to share. It helps if you are passionate about the topic. This passion infuses YOU with more natural enthusiasm when you speak. The audience…
Early signs of public speaking anxiety I just received a note from one of my coaching clients and I thought it would speak to you… …especially if you are still working on getting over your speaking anxiety. In my articles, I’ve been helping you learn how to recognize the early signs of anxiety. When you can notice the discomfort, you can stop it. Let’s look at a scale of 1-10, 1 being total, Buddha-like peace and 10 being a complete…
When You Connect to Your Essence, Your Voice is Pure and Powerful. I think one has to first believe that within their own body/self/soul there is a core Essence that is powerful, pure, and positive. But how do you find and connect with that state of being within? Several ways I have come to know this for myself have involved therapy, personal growth workshops, coaching, and, of course, Speaking Circles®. I had to learn to open up, trust, and believe that…
Losing Your Words When Speaking? I recently received an email from a woman who said she’s afraid of losing her words and being spontaneously asked to speak. Two very common fears! If you have or ever have had either fear, I thought you might find my response helpful. Be Present and You Will Find Your Words “Both situations you refer to, running out of what to say and speaking spontaneously are about being able to be fully present in the…
Stillness: The Key to Public Speaking Ease Do you know the secret to relaxed public speaking? Relaxed public speaking is possible when you can be at ease with silence. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8o7wjbs3NLs In this video, Lee Glickstein, founder of Speaking Circles International, demonstrates the power of silence when you are in front of an audience. You might ask, “How is it possible that a silent inner stillness is what reduces public speaking anxiety?” The answer to how inner silence grounds you and makes you…
Is Public speaking Torture for You? A few weeks ago, I received this question from a coaching client: “You know what is most frustrating to me? I feel like I am a rather calm person – I really don’t feel like a person who runs with high anxiety. “As a nurse and as a mom and a wife and a student, I am so chill compared to others that I see around me. So why is public speaking so tortuous…
Presence and Connection Lead to Customers When you speak, it is your presence and connection ability that carries your words to a customer. You may think that your words are the important factor, but being in the moment, fully present, connected to yourself and others gives power to what you say. Whether it is sales or support, when you are anxious, you are less effective. Perhaps you feel pressured to make an impression or get the sale. Maybe you lack…
Our common language There is a common language we all share and it is more powerful than words. The best way to explain this language is to share about my recent trip to Greece. The phrase, “it’s all Greek to me” ran through my mind constantly. When I tried to communicate with someone other than a shopkeeper, it was literally all Greek to me. I couldn’t understand anything. I realized, however, that I did connect with individuals using another language……
Does Rehearsing really ward off speaking anxiety? Do you think rehearsing a speech over and over or scripting every word will help you ward off anxiety and look more confident? I used to believe rehearsing was the key to success. In Toastmasters I scripted every speech. I thought if I got the words right and delivered them flawlessly, I’d eventually find my way to confident speaking. Spending hours and hours rehearsing a short 5-minute speech! I taped myself on a…
Do you want to have better eye contact while speaking? “Hey look me over… lend me an ear” is the first line of a Broadway musical song sung by Lucille Ball. How could this line relate to better eye contact when speaking? When I think of this line, I don’t imagine Lucille in one of her whacky performances. I think of you standing in front of an audience ready to speak. How does it feel when all eyes of an…
© 2019 Essential Speaking - Doreen Hamilton Ph.D.
