The First Important Step to Confident Speaking
I'll get right to the point, most people want more confidence on the speaking stage. They want to own the stage, command the audience's attention and get their message across.
Think about what being a confident speaker means to you. What does it look like? Now hold-on tight to that description.
For the next several Wednesdays, we are going to talk about being more confident in your speaking.
Before we do, I need to you ask you a question.
What is holding you back from confident speaking?
Most people have a huge list of what holds them back from being that confident speaker that can include:
- I'm too soft-spoken
- I'm too loud
- I'm short
- I'm too tall
- My accent gets in the way
- My speaking voice puts audiences to sleep
- I'm too old – no one wants to listen to a dinosaur
- I'm too young -no one wants to listen to a kid with no experience
I could go on, but I won't. Here's the big secret to confidence – STOP VIEWING WHAT MAKES YOU UNIQUE AS A FLAW.
Most people have a vision of what a speaker should be like. How they should walk on the stage. How they should look or what they should sound like. You don't have to be any of that. You just have to be you.
Don't fall into the “most people” trap of speaking. I was most people too. I believed that my voice was too annoying, I spoke too fast and was too enthusiastic and happy to be credible. Then I had an epiphany that my laundry list of weaknesses was actually what made me unique.
Your uniqueness holds the power of confidence
Embrace what makes you stand out
It's time to reframe your list. It's time to embrace what makes you stand out. Whether that's your diminutive stature, obnoxious voice or funky color hair. Once your start loving what makes you different from most people, your belief in your speaking abilities skyrockets. No matter your size, tone of voice, manner of dress, you'll begin to understand your power on stage.
You're uniqueness is not a flaw. It's the genesis of your confidence. Love what makes you special and own the speaking stage. This is the first step in being a more confident speaker.
Tell me what makes you unique in the comments below.
Next week, we are going to talk about the relationship between focus and confidence.
Nomadic Lass, “Standing Out From the Crowd” September 24, 2011 via Flickr, Creative Commons Attribution.
Maybe this doesn’t only apply to speaking, but many aspects of life…
Nice post Michelle 🙂
Have an awesome day
O, ps, what does the picture have to do with the content?
Those little dudes are so cool!
Are they yours?
I have many, but I don’t know what they have to do with speaking?
I picked the little guy because he is standing out from the crowd and is unique looking. Plus, he is cute and it was hard to find the right picture for this blog. 🙂
I agree with that statement 100%. We do tend to get in our own way in life quite a bit.
I am very good at bringing in diverse things and unifying them. I am still working on a more precise language to explain what that means, but I think that more than anything is responsible for my successes.
In the business world, we would call you a strategic thinker. Susan, I think you bring up an excellent point that speaking is all about building on our strengths and not what is wrong with us. If you are amazing at synthesizing a range of ideas then focusing on that strength will bring you speaking success and confidence!
My english very poor. And i scared about other people thinking what i trying to said
Hi Natrah! You’re in a tough situation especially when English is not your first language. First, keep working on your English. Find a practice buddy. The more you practice and learn English the more confident you will feel. Second, realize people empathize with you. They know it’s hard for you. In fact most admire you for getting up there despite English not being your first language. Finally, speak slowly and short sentences. Practice what you want to say beforehand. Good luck to you – you will improve and your confidence will grow!
Hi Dr.Michelle Mazur ! what you tried to convey was quite intresting.
I want u to write an artical on “How to face audiances counters ” because i feel this is the most common problem many people face with.
Hi Divya! I’m not sure what you mean by audiences counters – do you mean questions they have or when the audience disagrees with you?