Seven Steps to Confident Speaking By Bill Cashell 1. Visualize Yourself Speaking - Imagine yourself walking confidently to the lectern as the audience applauds. Imagine yourself speaking, your voice loud, clear and assured. See, hear and feel the sights and sounds in as much detail as you can. Live the entire speech in your mind and enjoy the applause and appreciation as the audience thanks you for you presentation. When you visualize yourself as successful, you will be successful. 2. Be Audience Centered - Your nervous feelings will dissipate if you focus your attention away from your anxieties and concentrate on your message and your audience, not yourself. Be there for your audience and they will be there for you. 3. Create a Peak State - the same nervous energy that causes stage fright can be an asset to you. Harness it, and transform it into vitality and enthusiasm. Mentally: Be excited about the gift you are giving the audience. Remember a time you felt totally confident. Physically: Hold your posture and body in a confident manner. This will make you feel confident. 0 4. Be Yourself to Connect with Your Audience - Use your own style, and do what is natural to you. If you try to act like some one else, it may not be comfortable for you. Remember that the audience wants you to succeed. 5. Be Prepared - If you are not familiar with your material or are uncomfortable with it, your nervousness will increase. Practice your speech or presentation and revise it until you can present it with ease. 6. Know the Room - become familiar with the place in which you will speak. Arrive early and walk around the room including the speaking area. Stand at the lectern and speak into the microphone. Walk around where the audience will be seated. Walk from where you will be seated to the place where you will be speaking. 7. Know the Audience - If possible, greet some of the audience as they arrive and chat with them. It is easier to speak to a group of friends than to a group of strangers. Expect the best and you will find it. If you think you can, or if you think you can’t, you are right.