Performing arts training, of necessity, includes methods to develop relaxation, concentration and presence. Years ago, in acting school, I learned to do a voice and body exercise warm-up before auditioning or performing. While it did not completely get rid of my performance anxiety, it did help calm me. When I became a teacher of public speaking,…
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People are often incredulous when I share my story about being trained an actress and yet having such fear of public speaking. But acting is a skill based on saying the words of a character, not usually your own words. In acting there is no need to reveal your own thinking, whereas in public speaking,…
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This is the absolute bottom line of what to do to transform your public speaking tension and performance anxiety into radiant, authentic presence so that you shine in front of others. Coaching a corporate HR executive from a Fortune 100 company on his anxiety about public speaking, I said something new, something I’ve never said…
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I just read an article on Forbes called “Why Public Speaking Scares and and How to Overcome your Fear” by Susan Adams. This is one of the best articles on fear of speaking I have seen in a long time! I am a presentation and speaking coach in Houston. I have specialized in transforming stage…
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This weekend I attended a workshop on Sound, Color & Vibration taught by Elias Demohan and Rafael Demohan. Elias has been the most significant spiritual teacher in my life. I have not seen him for many years as he now lives in Calgary, Canada. The workshop was for me mostly a review of methods for…
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Pearls are created by irritation and discomfort. An oyster is irritated by a grain of sand. To thrive and survive, the oyster develops a hard shell around the grain of sand and it becomes a pearl. Through the process of discomfort, the oyster grows a beautiful pearl. Ever think about the phrase pearls of wisdom? …
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The following Article was written by Josh Popichak and published in the June Issue of Steve Harrison’s Book Marketing Update. It is offered here by permission of the author. Have you ever had a nightmare about having to make a speech, or found yourself panicked about speaking to a group in real life? If so,…
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I just saw Meryl Streep accept the Golden Globe Award for best Actress in a Comedy Feature Film. She said she is very clear that she is just the vessel for other’s stories and other women’s lives. But don’t we all know that she has opened herself to be a channel to allow full…
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Seth Godin, author of Tribes, writes a blog on leadership at sethsblog.com. He quotes his book, “Leadership is scarce because few people are willing to go through the discomfort required to lead.” He continues with: “It’s uncomfortable to stand up in front of strangers. It’s uncomfortable to propose an idea that might fail. It’s…
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“Jump right into the middle” and “open the shoot and let the bucking bronco out of the pin” are my mottos for opening talks, speeches and communications to groups. I don’t like to hear speakers mumble phrases like “I am so honored to be here” or “Thanks for inviting me.” No one is listening…
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