TITLE: Speak With a Relaxed Body and Mind AUTHOR: Sandra Schrift CONTACT: sandra@schrift.com

COPYRIGHT: ©2004 by Sandra Schrift. All rights reserved

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Speak With a Relaxed Body and Mind

Fear of public speaking is No.1. Death is No.4. So most people would rather get a root canal and pay their taxes than speak in front of an audience!

1. Sure you have catecholamines all speakers do (including Sir Winston Churchill and Presidents Kennedy, Carter, and Reagan). These are chemicals that make you sweat, make your heart beat fast, and make your hands shake. Get rid of those chemical and psychological reactions by becoming message-centered and audience-centered, not self-centered,

2. Replace fear and negative noise with positive affirmations. Create new beliefs that nurture you and support you with new ways of thinking. The New Adult You! For example, I am well prepared, and audience wants me to succeed.

3. Do a quiet meditation, visualization, or exercise before you speak. Breathe deeply. Deep breathing sends a message to your brain that you have nothing to fear. It calms you down.

4. Who cares if you’re nervous? Researchers have found that most people report noticing little or no anxiety in a speaker. If you are thoroughly prepared, your internal nervousness seldom shows. Prepare 150%.]

1.Know how to manage your emotions.

Developing your emotional intelligence skills will benefit you in every area of your life. Take time to study EQ and work with a coach. Then you’ll be prepared to manage emotions inherent in any interview.

2.Know yourself – who you are, what your values are and what you have to offer.

The cornerstone of emotional intelligence is self-awareness. Without this, there can be no emotional intelligence. You can’t get what you want if you don’t know what you want. Work with a coach is you’re unsure in these areas.

3.Maintain your integrity.

Know what’s important to you and why. Know what your values are. Set your priorities. If you enter a company culture that’s opposed to your own, results are going to be negative. If you go just for money, you will be disappointed. Integrated self means knowing how you feel about things emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually, and authenticity means remaining true to these.

4.Know your strengths and weaknesses and look for a position that will allow you to work in your areas of strengths, and a manager or boss who understands this concept.

We recommend taking StrengthsFinder profile (http:/ inyurl.com/z750 ). This excellent profile tells you strengths that are innate to you. They’re ones you were born with and will die with. The closer you can work to your innate strengths, happier you’re going to be, better your chances of reaching your potential, and less strain you will feel.

5.Prepare yourself emotionally before interview.

Anxiety, fear and anger can cloud your ability to think. It’s important that you be able to think clearly so you can present yourself well. Practice relaxation techniques. Work out before you go, so your nerves are settled and you’re calm. Understand that in last analysis, all that’s required of you is to dress, show up, do your best and then go home.