FAQ’s
Public Speaking is a Conversation, always…
Your ability at Public Speaking or Speaking in Public,
(they are not the same), is really a reflection of Your
personal development experience.
For me, I’ve managed to overcome my Fear & Anxiety and go on to work Professionally in Media in both America and Japan.
Based on my Professional Experiences, the Lessons
I’ve learned, and the Students I’ve taught, I know
many of the Techniques & Answers that will
build your Confidence and enable You to participate in
Public Speaking events, or, to confidently Speak in Public.
1) CAN I OVERCOME MY FEAR OF SPEAKING?
Short: Yes.
Long: Most people Can overcome their FEAR OF SPEAKING, which is experienced by about 60% - 70% of Americans. To succeed, You must decide that You want to become comfortable & confident in speaking environments like Public Meetings, Business Conferences, and Social events.
And it is a Decision, not a casual phrase such as: “Sure, I’d like to be a good speaker” or, “I’ve got to work on that” or, “I wish I could do that.” Well, You Can Do “that” just like so many others have.
Once You commit, the next step involves finding a Coach or Teacher that will guide you past your resistance. Nothing beats getting on your feet and speaking in a Secure Environment where You discover just what you’re capable of doing. Surprise yourself!
2) SHOULD I MEMORIZE MY SPEECH?
Short: No.
Long: The Liabilities of Memorization greatly outweigh the Advantages in most instances. Look at what the Speaker Doesn’t achieve by Memorization.
You’re unable to deliver your speech spontaneously, responding to the audience along the way. You’ll constantly be focused on the next word or phrase rather than on the audience.
And OH-My-God! if you forget something. Do you apologize and begin again? How inspiring is that? How do you continue? What happens to Trust?
Actors study for years, some a lifetime, to learn how to deliver lines they didn’t create, as if they did. Are you that good?
Study solid Speaking Techniques, Practice often, and Focus, Focus, Focus.
3) CAN’T I SIMPLY READ A BOOK TO GAIN CONFIDENCE?
Short: No.
Long: Public Speaking and Presentations are physical, active, and frequently, emotionally involved events. Does ‘Reading’ about it serve a purpose? Of course it does, but I don’t believe that it serves as a suitable alternative to ‘Doing’.
Reading, Lectures, NLP, DVD’s, Hypnotherapy and Drugs may offer a piece to solving the puzzle of “How do I become a Confident Speaker, or an Improved Speaker.” But I don’t believe that any of the aforementioned are a suitable substitute for actually Speaking.
Speaking to a group, saying what’s on Your mind can Empower You & Build Your Confidence. And maybe in the process, can Change attitudes, Inspire action, and even Solve a long vexing problem faced by many in your Audience. That’s neat.
I may write that using your hands & arms when Speaking is a good way to emphasize your important points, and too, it serves to keep the audience focused on You. Well that sounds good, but How does that work in actuality when applied? How often, how big, how fast or slow should the gestures be?
You won’t know until you apply the “hands & arm’s” suggestion in a practical situation by Doing. How does it feel? Does it suit you? And what if you could benefit from the suggestion, as it would loosen up your physicality, but you don’t Try it for the same reason you don’t Do it now: You’re uncomfortable, maybe too embarrassed to be Standing there, let alone waving your arms about in front of others.
In blog post #11 OJT , I suggest an excellent way to learn is by Doing. Working with a Coach can abbreviate the learning curve by leading you out of your Comfort Zone into new areas of behavior which can result in new opportunities for You. Of course you can continue in your present situation, but you probably wouldn’t be reading this if you were happy where you are now.
4) I DON’T LIKE MY VOICE, CAN I CHANGE IT?
Short: Probably.
Long: Frequently, a persons Speaking Voice is affected by Tension in the vocal chords. The stress you feel that prevents you from participating in a public conversations, or that you feel when you do participate in those conversations, can affect your Speaking Voice. I’ve seen in myself (see Show#10) a definite change in voice quality when stress is reduced or eliminated.
Of course You may locate a Voice Coach in your community and that may provide an answer for you. But I suggest that you wait and see what happens to your voice as you learn to Relax when Speaking. You might just discover that your voice sounds very nice. Really.
5) CAN I AVOID LOOKING FOOLISH WHEN I SPEAK?
Short: Yes.
Long: No one wants to ‘look foolish’ and in most cases most people hardly ever do. But they can ‘feel foolish’ as often as they allow themselves. Yes, I think this is one of those moments where you want to take ownership of, that is responsibility for, your feelings. Now step back for a moment and let that soak in while I suggest some actions you can take to avoid those foolish feelings as a Speaker.
If you have a Presentation or Speech to give and try as you might you can’t avoid it, there are several things you can do to ensure an easy time of it. First, decide clearly, definitively, the “Role” you will be filling as the Speaker. Check my Show#23 for further guidance on this matter. Once you’re decided your Role, prepare your Presentation as that Speaker. Is the event happy, sad, frustrated, mad? Modify your presentation with that feeling guiding you. Now you know your Role and Your feelings. Good.
Construct your Presentation or Speech in a sensible, logical, linear style. Say what you have to say. Once completed, let it breathe. Leave it alone for a bit, a day any way. Return to it and edit it to clarify and simplify. Now,
Practice reading it out loud, to yourself. During this period, avoid working in front of a mirror or friends. Read it again, and then again. How do the words feel in your mouth? How does it sound to you? Don’t censure yourself. Speak with commitment and energy appropriate to the occasion. How do you like it..is it You? You’ll know. Don’t practice it so much that you remove the energy or the sense of spontaneity.
By now, you should feel connected to your presentation, and it truly is Your Presentation. Your feelings, your design, your words, your preparation, your practice. Now, with this much behind you, your main task is simply to stay focused on your information and the reason you’re there. Focus, Focus, Focus.
You do that with Sincerity and Commitment and you’ll perform Confidently.
6) CAN’T I SIMPLY READ MY SPEECH?
Short: No.
Long: One of the most important Goals of a Speaker making a Presentation is maintaining Eye-contact with your Audience. This sounds easy enough and generally it is as long as you’re not stuck ‘in” a set of notes, or worse, Reading a Speech. The problem can be amplified in several ways.
One is due to inadequate Preparation on the part of the Speaker. If you’re unfamiliar with your Presentation, you’ll constantly search for the next word, phrase, or idea to help you move along at a somewhat reasonable rate. Of course the audience sees this and doesn’t connect with You in a personal way. They may get the information you’ve brought, but you don’t get the personal connection, and that’s one of the reasons you’re there… in person.
“Reading a Speech” by it’s very description means you will be buried in your speech text. It’s a given. Now, You may have written a thourghly compelling speech and in fact it may be well accepted, but take a moment to watch this brief video clip. You’ll recognize the Speaker, and just imagine how much improved the audience experience could have been, had he connected to them personally, rather then simply read them a nice “story.”
Now, there is a caveat to this information. If you’re going to deliver a technical Speech or Presentation where it’s imperative that the information and figures be presented factually, then to Protect You, your Information, and your Audience, Reading from a prepared text may be required. And that’s an intelligent decision.
In the great majority of Speaking situations you’ll have the flexibility to interact with your audience. Take advantage of it and in addition to making a Speech, make friends and make the connections.
Speaking Builds Self-Confidence
Empowers You, and
Opens Your Life to new Opportunities.
A Win-Win situation is available to You right now.
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