Normally I write about stage fright and fear of public speaking, but today my focus is broader. As we face an economic crisis, just about everybody is feeling some fear and anxiety right now. I have been working to overcome mine and to transform the fear into power. I have also been pondering what I…
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If you pay close attention to how you feel during stage fright, you will notice that the feeling is very familiar, and about as old as your earliest memories. It is the same feeling that you had when you were a small child – powerless, overwhelmed by the larger world and totally dependent on others…
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In my Telling Stories & Sharing Wisdom speaking class last week, one participant wowed us with a fully fleshed-out talk about what is wrong in America today. He was able to put together ideas and pieces of content that included a story about being with his daughter in a New York restaurant at a table…
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Effectiveness in public speaking or presentation is not about your performance. It is certainly not about being perfect in your speaking style. Effectiveness has to do with what happens to them, your listeners, as a result of who you are being with them. If you shared ideas, information and stories that cause your listeners to…
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So often, speakers feel that they are getting up in front of strangers. And worse, they expect that the strangers in their audience will be unaccepting or disapproving of what they have to say. The thought that they might not like you or agree with you triggers a terrifying reaction in your body and mind.…
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The key question to ask yourself when you are frozen in fear or gripped in anxiety is “How do I say something real right now? What is the most authentic thing I can say now? What is true for me at this moment?” Stage fright, fear of public speaking and performance anxiety are caused by the…
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Yeah! I love it when other presentation coaches recognize the power of love to help people with stage fright and fear of public speaking! Deborah in Asia has written a post to share that learning to feel the love in the room can make you more successful in speaking and in building a career. Check out…
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Have you noticed that when you are gripped by stage fright or fear of public speaking, it is like an out-of-body experience? Mentally, you withdraw attention and energy from your body and focus all your energy and attention in your head. You “go into your head.” It is almost as if you leave your body…
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My public speaking students ask, “What if I speak to an audience that is hostile? How do I deal with that?” This question usually comes up after they have transformed a great deal of stage fright and are feeling very comfortable at the center of attention in their class group. The implication of the question…
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I was approached to write a talk, Taming the Dragon: Facing the Fear of Change for a non-profit organization. Saturday I delivered the talk twice and did well enough. As I drove away from the event, I realized that the talk was as much for my own healing as it was for the audience of…
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