What If I Cry When It’s My Turn to Speak?
The Vulnerability Of Public Speaking Uh oh… your chest feels like it’s going to explode, your throat constricts and your face is burning. Strong emotions are rising and about to overwhelm your carefully constructed boundaries. Oh no, not now! Now you need to look good. You need to convey strength, confidence and above all, professionalism. […]
Are You Scared of Using Microphones?
There Is A Fear And It’s Called: Microphonebia! The symptoms include sweating, a dry mouth, a blank stare and a squeaky voice. Some people regard public speaking as a fearsome pursuit – hand them a microphone and it turns into a phobia. Why does this simple metal device inspire so much horror in so many? […]
Prepare To Speak!
Countdown To Your Next Relaxed Presentation I’m often asked, “What’s the best way to handle my speaking nerves when I prepare to speak?” I recommend creating a personal countdown to help you get ready emotionally, physically and mentally for the big event weeks or months in advance. Take the time to get clear about your […]
How To Embrace Audience Applause
Yes! Those Claps Are For You That glorious moment has arrived! You have finished your speech. Oh, the relief of making it through without a major stuff up. Of course, there was that moment when you stumbled and words evaporated into a curious blankness. Hopefully your face did not betray your bewilderment… Though, you thought […]
Press Pause & Slow the Hell Down
In a nutshell, pausing and slowing down is about quality of human interaction. Quality, not quantity.
Inner Calm No Public Speaking Alarm
6 Minutes a Day & You’re Away The first few days of a silent meditation retreat, I want to run. I feel twitchy. How can something as simple as sitting still cause so much agitation? My mind goes into hyper drive. I need a cup of coffee. And a cupcake to go with it. Then […]
Public Speaking Fear Begone!
A Speaking Fear Relaxation Exercise That Really Works So many public speaking fear exercises out there… which one to choose and which one is right for you? A solution feels like a good fit when it exactly addresses the specific problem. In other words, you don’t just have anxiety, you have “public speaking anxiety”. If […]
Feel Fear Speak Anyway
L Plates For Learner Speakers Most years I run a specialised Public Speaking Retreat for 6 women. And every year I get asked the same question: “If I attend the Retreat, will I have to speak?” Ummm; yes! Not So Red Faced I once worked with a woman who successfully avoided speaking to her staff en […]
Self-Conscious And Loving It!
Finding Yourself Out the Front of Your Life Recently I asked a friend for feedback on an aspect of my behaviour. I badgered her. She deflected. I badgered again. She gave in and chose her words with care. And horror of horrors I did not like what I heard. I reckon I did a pretty […]
What People Really Think Of You
And What You Can Do About It The Answer? You guessed it; there is nothing you can do about them. But there’s quite a bit you can do about you. I bring this topic up because “ fear of what people really think of you ” is such a recurring biggie for people who avoid […]