Ten Steps to Fearless Public SpeakingWritten by Graham Jones
There is plenty of dubious material which suggests you can combat public speaking fear. Much of it includes fancy techniques such as 'visualisation' or 'breathing techniques'. Well, they might work. But this ten step system is GUARANTEED TO WORK. That's because instead of fancy tricks and techniques, this system of dealing with public speaking fear uses your body's natural defences against fear.STEP ONE Prepare well. Naturally enough, more prepared you are more likely you are to feel in control, which will NATURALLY help your nervousness reduce. STEP TWO Practice, practice, practice. You can't do too much practice. Don't listen to those people who say you can over-practice. Tell that to circus artists who practice day in day out for decades, just to get their act right. You don't hear actors and musicians complaining they had 'too much' rehearsal time. The more your rehearse, better. STEP THREE Say your speech OUT LOUD. Whether you are in car, bath, or going for a walk with dog, say it out loud. Going through your talk 'in your head' means you don't benefit from something called 'psychomotor memory' - whereby memory for what you need to say is partly embedded in muscles of your mouth. STEP FOUR Get to venue early. Get a feel for room. Sit where audience will sit so you can see it from their perspective. Walk around auditorium. Practice your speech on stage itself. The more comfortable you are with room, less your nerves will be.
| | Ten Tips on Speaking with Authority and PowerWritten by Graham Jones
No matter how good you are as a presenter, there will be times when you need to make sure you exude power and authority. If you are ‘the boss’ and want to be certain staff will do your bidding you will need to come across with power and authority. You will also have to come across authoritatively when presenting at a large conference when your competitors will also be present. Equally you will need to be seen as powerful if you are wishing to make a name for yourself within your industry. However, even though you may want power and authority in these settings, you will not wish to appear arrogant or bossy. Using these ten tips you’ll achieve right balance.1. Think part! If you believe you have power and authority to say what you are saying this will help tremendously. You really need to see yourself as brimming with power, authority and gravitas. 2. Dress part! Powerful people wear powerful clothes. They appear smart, even in casual wear. They take care of their appearance and generally look good. Purple and blue are seen as powerful colours by an audience. 3. Speak part! Use power language. Don’t say ‘perhaps’ or ‘maybe’ be certain. Powerful and authoritative people speak with absolute certainty – even if they are not really sure. 4. Act part! When you are on stage stand up straight, look people in eye and dominate your stage with definite and decisive gestures.
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