7 Keys to Learning How to Speak With Confidence in Public

How to speak with confidence? How many people have asked this question? How many people have become stressed over a public speaking engagement? Public speaking can be a nerve-rattling experience, but there are ways to develop the confidence to step on a stage or in front of several people.

Coaches Should Learn How to Speak in Public

You would think that all coaches would be good at public speaking. Their job requires them to not only listen to clients, but speak to them with confidence. However, speaking one-one-one and speaking to a room full of strangers is an entirely different experience.

But, coaches should learn the art of public speaking. This will allow them to give seminars and speak at conferences and public events - providing them with an additional way to earn income. Every coach should take some type of class about how to speak with confidence.

How to Speak With Confidence

If you think public speaking is about reading off a teleprompter or memorizing a few topics and regurgitating them to your audience, then you really don't know much about public speaking.

The way you speak matters as much as what you say.

If you don't sound like you should be listened to, your audience just might tune out. If you don't sound like you expect and deserve respect, you may not get any!

7 Keys to Speaking With Confidence

How to speak with confidence involves many different tricks of the trade. They are easy to learn and remember. How to speak publicly with confidence is about learning these skills and then practicing them.

1. Slow down. If you speak too quickly, your audience will miss what you say. You will also sound nervous. Sounding nervous may elicit some empathy, but it won't earn you any respect.
2. Don't go too slow. Slowing down is important, but going too slow will put your audience asleep. It is essential to find a workable balance. All lists on how to speak with confidence will talk about the importance of slowing down, but don't slow down too much or you will lose your audience to their smartphones!
3. Eliminate any filler words. Obviously you'll always have a few, but the audience will catch on if you use too many of them. Say what you came to say as clearly and as concisely as possible. If your speech is three minutes shorter than the allotted time, it's not a problem; in fact, it may be more powerful.
4. Breath when necessary. Don't try to finish a sentence or a paragraph without breathing if you need to take a breath. Obviously the audience knows you have to breath!
5. The power of the pause. Adding a deliberate pause is part of slowing down. Putting pauses in your sentences adds authority to what you are saying No list on how to speak with confidence would be complete with the pause!
6. A touch of emphasis. Speaking in a monotone will quickly put your audience into a coma. Adding emphasis to certain words breaks your words into section and keeps the audience interested. You could be telling them how to make a million dollars in the next month, and if you were speaking in a monotone, many of them would drift off.
7. The last tip of this list of how to speak with confidence is to practice in front of a mirror - don't feel embarrassed about it. It's one of the best ways to get comfortable speaking and to practice your topics. Practice may not make perfect, but it makes your public words deserving of respect.

https://ezinearticles.com/?7-Keys-to-Learning-How-to-Speak-With-Confidence-in-Public&id=9477281

Loving Yourself Can Heal Fear

"I believe that anyone can conquer fear by doing the things he fears to do, provided he keeps doing them until he gets a record of successful experiences behind him." ~Eleanor Roosevelt

I know from my own experiences that what Eleanor Roosevelt said in the above quote is very true.

• I used to be scared to speak up for myself or speak my truth, and now I do it easily.
• I used to be afraid of public speaking or doing radio or TV shows, and now I do these easily.
• I used to be scared to be in my power, and now it's natural for me.
• I used to be afraid of confrontation and conflict, and now I welcome these experiences in order to learn from them.
• I used to be scared that if I opened to learning with my higher guidance, there would be nothing there, and now I know that I'm never alone and am always being guided.
• I used to be afraid of my deeper painful feelings, and now I embrace them with love and compassion and allow them to move through me. I now know that I can lovingly manage them and that they won't overwhelm me.
• I used to be afraid to write, and now writing flows easily.

We can't talk ourselves out of fear, which is what our ego wounded-self tries to do. When we choose to operate as a loving adult with a strong motivation to love ourselves, then we don't put our inner child out there alone to do something we are afraid of doing.

For example, when I first started public speaking and teaching - before Spirit brought us inner work - I was very scared of not knowing what to say or of forgetting what I wanted to say. I was scared that I would get so nervous that I wouldn't be able to talk. After I started to practice inner work, I realized that I had been putting my inner child out there to do the teaching. Of course she was scared! It was not a job for my inner child!

Now, before I speak or teach or do a radio or TV show, I make sure to tell my inner child that this isn't her job - that it's the job of my loving adult allowing my higher self to speak through me. Instead of trying to control what I say, I surrender to my higher guidance and allow her to be the speaker and teacher.

After doing this many times, the fear went away.

Healing Fear Through Loving Yourself

The more my inner child knows that I am here loving myself through fear, the safer she feels with things that used to feel very scary. Healing fear through loving myself means:

• Consistently showing up as a loving adult so that my inner child doesn't feel alone with scary things.
• Being willing to do the scary things over and over until the positive experiences become part of my neural pathways.
• Letting my inner child know that it's okay to make mistakes and to fail, and that my worth and lovability are not attached to outcomes.
• Valuing my willingness to try new and scary things so that my inner child feels valued for the effort rather than for the outcome.
• Being compassionate rather than critical with my feelings when things don't turn out the way I want.
• Letting go of having to know ahead of time whether or not something is best for me and being willing to trust what I want and the information I receive from my guidance regarding what is in my highest good - willing to go with the flow of life rather than trying to control it.

I encourage you to start doing what you want to do rather than allowing fear to stop you, and see what happens!

https://ezinearticles.com/?Loving-Yourself-Can-Heal-Fear&id=9674886

Boost Your Confidence In All Areas

We are all more confident some areas of our lives than others, even the most confident of people have some areas they feel they are lacking. Whilst even the least confident have some areas they feel confident.

Confidence is a feeling of assurance that you can complete the task successfully with ease, in fact you scarcely consider the task at all! It may be a task related to your work or home life, something you practise daily: such as public speaking, teaching, child rearing, cooking or it may be confidence in a sport, that you know you play well.

Whatever areas you feel confident in, you feel good about yourself. Especially when you are faced with these tasks.

Many of us have areas in our lives we would love to feel more confident. So how can we achieve this, when are lives are so busy. Training and guidance from experts together with lots of practice, plus belief in yourself will all boost the feeling of confidence and expertise.

Compare the first time you tried to drive a car to you confidence years later. Consider how new Mums' feel with their first-born, especially if they do not have younger siblings. Confidence can be learned and developed in all areas and will make you a more rounded happier person.

Sometimes teachers and parents influence how confident we feel, by being critical in childhood, but as adults we can take control of our lives and change this.

I am confident in most areas of my life, but would hate to speak in public, and I am a complete technophobe. The very thought of anything technical sends me in a spin. So these and a few others are my areas that need some work! So which are you areas will you be improving this year? A new year is a great time to start something new, what will your challenge be?

So to sum up: lack of confidence is natural, to improve in any area get good training and practise your new skills knowing you are improving in that area. Have belief in your efforts and enjoy compliments.

So will yours be a gym challenge, losing weight, or a new hobby? Or with the money pressures everyone is feeling it could be earning a second income. Whatever it is have a happy healthy and prosperous New Year.

An easy to read little book full of tips and quotes to increase your confidence:

"How to be Confident" by Anna Barnes

http://ezinearticles.com/?Boost-Your-Confidence-In-All-Areas&id=9862369

Great Feedback Depends On Encouragement

Author, Ted Engstrom, wrote a story that happened many years ago at the University of Wisconsin to a group of extraordinary young men who had the "ability to put the English language to its best use." These students were essayists, novelists, and poets. They "met regularly to read and critique each other's work."

Engstrom said, they "were merciless dissecting the most minute literary expression into a hundred pieces. They were heartless, tough, even mean in their criticism." They "called themselves the Stranglers." They strangled all the hopes and dreams they each had.

The young women at the university with literary talent decided to begin their own club calling it the "Wranglers". "They read their works to one another but criticism was much softer, more positive, more encouraging. Sometimes, there was almost no criticism at all. Every effort, even the most feeble one, was encouraged."

Study Done 20 Years Later:

An alumnus from the university, twenty years later, did a "study of his classmates' careers". He noticed " not one" of the Stranglers made any "literary accomplishment".

On the other hand, "from the Wranglers had come six or more successful writers, some of national renown such as Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, who wrote The Yearling."

In both groups the education and talent were equal. Ted Engstrom "concluded, the Stranglers strangled, while the Wranglers highlighted the best, not the worst."

What was the difference between the Stranglers and the Wranglers evaluations?

The Stranglers demoralized their members sucking out all their creativity by criticizing everything they did wrong. They beat each other down. Left no one standing!

The Wranglers on the other hand, built on the strengths of their members. They encouraged, inspired, motivated and helped their members to continue developing and creating their writing projects. Honest sincere compliments lift others up encouraging them to want to continue the work they are doing.

At Toastmasters positive evaluations are given:

As a Toastmaster member since 2009, we learn to help other members improve their communication, public speaking and leadership skills. At Toastmasters constructive feedback is given on prepared manual speeches. Constructive feedback is given in a positive friendly atmosphere. Evaluators listen carefully to the speaker they are evaluating and tell them what they have done well to build the speakers confidence, and then make one suggestion that they can improve. Every person needs positive encouragement to motivate and inspire them to the next level of their journey.

Successful Leaders Are Wranglers:

Mary Kay Ash, founder of Mary Kay cosmetics said, "Never giving criticism without praise is a strict rule for me. No matter what you are criticizing, you must find something good to say... Criticize the act, not the person."

Harvey Mackay, businessman and author, says, "Successful leaders.. understand that results reflect their management skills. Constantly belittling or blaming means that either the employee isn't a good fit or that the criticism isn't being delivered effectively... Positive results start with a positive environment in which employees know that they will be treated with respect even when they make mistakes."

Words have power:

The words you say to others are powerful. Think before you say them!

What 5 ways can you encourage and empower others to be good wranglers/ good finders to family, friends, and fellow employees?

1) Show them you care about them and want to learn about them. Ask them about their families, their hopes, challenges, and dreams.

2) Matt McWilliams, online marketing expert, says "Use the four magic words: I believe in you. Take the time to tell your team, your friends, your family, and your followers that you believe in your abilities and that you are confident that they will succeed."

3) Written words of praise last a lifetime!

When did you last thank someone who helped you in some way? (Your mentor, parent, grandparent, coach, teacher, boss.) Did you write them a note of thanks, or send them a text to tell them thank them? If they are no longer with you on earth, write a blog on the net memorializing their work with you.

President Abraham Lincoln when he died had 8 newspaper clippings in his pocket on the positive things written about him during his re-election campaign. He had read and re-read these newspaper clippings many times, to remind him of the nice things they had written about him. During his presidency he was maligned many times by the newspapers.

When Mark Eklund, a young soldier, died in Vietnam, he had two well -worn sheets of paper in his pocket that he had read and re-read many times. On the two sheets were "all the good things" his classmates had written about him when he was in the eighth grade. ("All the Good Things" by Sister Helen P. Mrosla.) Written words of praise last a lifetime!

4) When you speak about your employees, your children, your spouse or sibling in public, praise them to others. When you are speaking to a team member at work and are talking about another team member say something positive about them. Build others up by building on their strengths.

5) Chris Martin, Author Development Specialist at LifeWay Christian Resources, say, "Listen to others' concerns and ask how you can help. One of the best ways to earn the ears of others is by learning to use your own. When you use your ears and listen to the concerns of others, you tell them that what preoccupies them matters to you, and even if you can't do anything about it you care." So stop talking and listen to others.

Leaders are wranglers and good finders who build on the strengths of their employee/ team members, family, and friends. They show respect, increase the self-esteem of others by helping them develop through their strengths, and building on them. Just like Toastmasters, - leaders who are wranglers/ good finder begin with, what their team member/employee did well, and explain, and demonstrate how to correct something that has been done incorrectly.

The "Wranglers" built on the strengths of their members. They encouraged, inspired, motivated and helped their members to continue developing and creating their writing projects.

In all of life, people need praise and encouragement to improve, to be inspired, to learn, and grow. When President Lincoln and Mark Eklund, a young soldier died, they had with them well-worn "treasured" sheets with " words of praise" to them.

Words of praise last a lifetime!

Begin today to be a "Wrangler Good Finder Leader " who encourages and inspires their people to success.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Great-Feedback-Depends-On-Encouragement&id=9752160

7 Keys to Learning How to Speak With Confidence in Public

How to speak with confidence? How many people have asked this question? How many people have become stressed over a public speaking engagement? Public speaking can be a nerve-rattling experience, but there are ways to develop the confidence to step on a stage or in front of several people.

Coaches Should Learn How to Speak in Public

You would think that all coaches would be good at public speaking. Their job requires them to not only listen to clients, but speak to them with confidence. However, speaking one-on-one and speaking to a room full of strangers is an entirely different experience.

But, coaches should learn the art of public speaking. This will allow them to give seminars and speak at conferences and public events - providing them with an additional way to earn income. Every coach should take some type of class about how to speak with confidence.

How to Speak With Confidence

If you think public speaking is about reading off a teleprompter or memorizing a few topics and regurgitating them to your audience, then you really don't know much about public speaking.

The way you speak matters as much as what you say.

If you don't sound like you should be listened to, your audience just might tune out. If you don't sound like you expect and deserve respect, you may not get any!

7 Keys to Speaking With Confidence

How to speak with confidence involves many different tricks of the trade. They are easy to learn and remember. How to speak publicly with confidence is about learning these skills and then practicing them.

1. Slow down. If you speak too quickly, your audience will miss what you say. You will also sound nervous. Sounding nervous may elicit some empathy, but it won't earn you any respect.

2. Don't go too slow. Slowing down is important, but going too slow will put your audience asleep. It is essential to find a workable balance. All lists on how to speak with confidence will talk about the importance of slowing down, but don't slow down too much or you will lose your audience to their smartphones!

3. Eliminate any filler words. Obviously you'll always have a few, but the audience will catch on if you use too many of them. Say what you came to say as clearly and as concisely as possible. If your speech is three minutes shorter than the allotted time, it's not a problem; in fact, it may be more powerful.

4. Breath when necessary. Don't try to finish a sentence or a paragraph without breathing if you need to take a breath. Obviously the audience knows you have to breath!

5. The power of the pause. Adding a deliberate pause is part of slowing down. Putting pauses in your sentences adds authority to what you are saying No list on how to speak with confidence would be complete with the pause!

6. A touch of emphasis. Speaking in a monotone will quickly put your audience into a coma. Adding emphasis to certain words breaks your words into section and keeps the audience interested. You could be telling them how to make a million dollars in the next month, and if you were speaking in a monotone, many of them would drift off.

7. The last tip of this list of how to speak with confidence is to practice in front of a mirror - don't feel embarrassed about it. It's one of the best ways to get comfortable speaking and to practice your topics. Practice may not make perfect, but it makes your public words deserving of respect.

http://ezinearticles.com/?7-Keys-to-Learning-How-to-Speak-With-Confidence-in-Public&id=9477281

How to Be Always on Time

Being late for an appointment can be very upsetting and often embarrassing, especially if you miss someone or are being charged for your tardiness. It's a matter of training and both your brain and body must be involved. If the appointment is early then do all the preparations for the meeting or whatever the night before. If you are meeting someone important then you can also shower before bed instead of leaving that to the morning.

In recent times I have had to leave home early and on one of those occasions needed to be at the airport at 5.15 a.m. to catch a flight. Everything was packed and ready the night before right down to the clothes I was to wear being laid out on the spare bed. I aimed to rise by 4 a.m. as the airport is some 30 minutes' drive away and I wanted to eat breakfast before leaving. That meant the latest I could leave home would be around 4.40 a.m.

My training in this regard is self-administered discipline and anyone can accomplish the same by being focused and forcing oneself to follow the orders as if you are directing someone else. You are your own boss, so be one.

There is no way that my arrival is late and to the contrary it is usually always spot on time or close to it, erring on the side of early. That means that anyone can use the same techniques to overcome the bad habit of being late for appointments, or worse - not turning up.

Get the paper-work in order as well, if this is appropriate. If you have to take certificates or other things to a special meeting then get them ready the day before and put them into a nice plastic cover or folder so that you look intelligent and on top of things. Impressions are everything and the best you can be when you arrive at a meeting the more you will enjoy it and overcome any nerves.

My experience with meetings is rather extensive as I am often sent to meet with people on matters of importance. My spirituality took me away from business and it allows many to be healed instantly by the Spirit, with whom I am linked. With memory of my reincarnation and with much to tell others I do public speaking and other things that require punctuality and good presentation.

http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Be-Always-on-Time&id=9439582

Positive or Negative? It's Your Choice!

Many years ago, when delivering a talk to a group of business people on the subject of public speaking, right slap bang in the middle of it, the fire alarm went off. We were immediately evacuated and had to stand outside for 5 or 10 minutes. Although it was July, there was a particularly chilly wind, so not the most pleasant of experiences.

On our way back in, someone from outside the group said to me, "you'll never get everyone back into the room" (mine was the session just before lunch. Beware - negative people lurk everywhere!) However, that was like a red rag to a bull to me. I remember thinking "oh yes I will and what's more I'll use the fire alarm going off as a point of learning."

And that's exactly what I did. First of all, everyone did come back in. I then made a quip about the alarm having woken everyone up, which got them laughing. They agreed that we could make up the lost time and work into the lunch-break. Finally, I used the fire alarm going off as an example of how to handle an unexpected situation when speaking in public - there's even a term for this - it's called utilisation. This means that you use whatever's happening and turn it to your advantage. You'll see comedians do this all the time.

So what could easily have been perceived as negative turned into an extremely positive situation for me as it showed me how confident I was in handling such situations with competence and ease. The cherry on the cake was that 7 years later, one of the attendees at that event contacted me and asked me to coach him. Perhaps my handling of the alarm going off had contributed to the memorability of my talk.

So the question is, how can you apply this to situations which may arise in your life. Use the following 3 step process:

1) Decide that no matter what happens, you will always look for the positive in every situation. This will take practice though since you (like most humans) probably have a tendency to judge everything as good or bad. However, things are rarely that straightforward. In fact, it's probably true to say that in every positive, there's a negative and in every negative, there's a positive.

2) When a 'negative' situation arises, ask the following questions: "what's the positive in this?" and "what can I learn from this?" By asking such questions, you are consciously directing your mind and assisting your unconscious mind to come up with answers. If you persist, you will find them.

3) Make this a habit. If necessary, stick post-its around to remind you to do this.

You can also utilise this process when challenges arise around charging what you're worth.

You might be thinking, is that it? That's really simple. The answer is yes - things are simple, though creating the habit of doing this will take time. Positive or negative - it's your choice!

http://ezinearticles.com/?Positive-or-Negative?-Its-Your-Choice!&id=9537364

7 Things People With Social Anxiety Do

6. They criticize their own social skills.

Social anxiety disorder goes beyond being shy or introverted. It involves an extreme fear of social interaction and it interferes with an individual's daily life. The symptoms usually begin around age 13 and persist into adulthood. But most people with social anxiety wait at least 10 years to get help, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America.

Whether you think you may have social anxiety, or suspect that someone you know might, here are some of the most common signs:

Source: spass/Shutterstock

1. They imagine embarrassing themselves.

Whether they're about to meet a new person, or they're walking into a social gathering, people with social anxiety disorder envision horribly embarrassing scenarios. They worry that they'll say or do the wrong thing, and they picture that behavior horrifying other people.

2. They avoid situations in which they'll be judged.

Social anxiety causes people to think things like, "Other people will think I'm stupid," or "I'll mess up and everyone is going to think I'm a loser." Their extreme fear of rejection causes them to steer clear of uncertain social situations whenever possible.

3. They only feel comfortable with a few specific people.

Most people with social anxiety feel comfortable with a few specific individuals—such as a best friend, a parent, or a sibling. Interacting with other individuals can lead to a serious spike in anxiety. Often, taking a "safe" person to the grocery store or a social gathering makes interactions a lot less scary.

4. They worry that other people will notice their fear.

Whether they speak up in a meeting or try to make small talk with an acquaintance, people with social anxiety worry that their anxiety is noticeable. They tend to experience physical symptoms such as a flushed face, sweaty palms, trembling hands or shortness of breath, and they're convinced that everyone else can tell when they're nervous.

5. They experience specific social fears.

For some people with social anxiety, the fear is contained to public speaking. But others experience extreme anxiety over things like writing in front of others or eating in public places. Many people with social anxiety fear talking on the phone as well.

6. They criticize their own social skills.

People with social anxiety spend a lot of time analyzing their social interactions. They replay conversations in their minds over and over and scrutinize their communication. They exaggerate their flaws and judge themselves harshly.

7. Their thoughts often become a self-fulfilling prophecies.

The negative thoughts associated with social anxiety often turn into self-fulfilling prophecies. Someone who thinks, "People always think I'm weird," may stick to himself during social engagements. His aloofness may discourage others from talking to him, reinforcing his belief that he's socially awkward.

How to Get Help

Social anxiety is a very treatable condition. Therapy, medication, or a combination of the two can often alleviate the symptoms. If you think you may have social anxiety, talk to your doctor. A physician can rule out medical issues that could be contributing to the symptoms and can refer you for appropriate psychological treatment if necessary.

www.psychologytoday.com/blog/what-mentally-strong-people-dont-do/201603/7-things-people-social-anxiety-do

10 Tips to Beat Your Fear of Public Speaking

If the thought of public speaking makes you break into a cold sweat, you’re not alone.

Surveys show that the fear of public speaking ranks as one of the most common phobias. In fact, a pronounced fear of public speaking is even more common than the fear of death!

While I used to rank amongst those who would rather pass when it came to taking to the podium, I was recently asked to speak at “Emerging Leaders Tap'd In” -- an event sponsored by United Way. It was a great opportunity, and something I couldn’t miss.

Although taking to the stage can be daunting, the fact is that most of us would do well to brush up on our public speaking skills. Whether it’s on stage or in the boardroom, the ability to give a well-presented talk is crucial. A number of studies indicate that speaking may even be more important to job success than technical skills.

Public speaking can also benefit your personal brand. It can help to build your reputation and cement you as a thought leader in your industry. Public speaking engagements can be a great way to bring in new business, broaden your network and can also open the door for mentorship opportunities, giving you the chance to directly influence others and make a difference.

On a personal level, public speaking is a tremendous confidence booster. It can deliver as much of a rush as skydiving!

Giving my speech was a great experience, and along the way I learned a thing or two. I’m still a work in progress, but here are a few tips that helped me feel more confident when speaking. Hopefully, they can help you beat the fear of public speaking, too.

1. Prepare.

It may sound obvious, but don’t wait until you hit the stage to get things together. Take some time to know your audience, and get all of your notes together before your big day. When preparing for his legendary presentations, Steve Jobs would spend days rehearsing and getting feedback. Write your material, read your notes and practice.

2. Understand your fears.

Matt Haughty, founder of MetaFilter, offers an excellent piece of public speaking advice: understand your fears, and recognize the biology behind them. It’s important to recognize that it’s normal to feel anxiety when there are hundreds of eyes on you. After all, if you're in the wild, and there’s a pack of eyes on you, you’re in trouble. Instead of going with your fears, tell yourself that those eyes don’t symbolize trouble, but just that a group is there to learn from you. You’ll be OK.

3. Loosen up.

Before taking to the stage, loosen up. Go out with friends, listen to music or watch some comedy. Whatever it takes to help you relax and get revved up. Music especially has been shown to have a profound physiological effect on us, and listening to some high-energy tunes can help you to get psyched up and motivated.

4. Be human.

Don’t feel like you need to put yourself on a level above your audience to be taken seriously. You’ll connect better if you let your humanness show. Tell personal stories, be real and let the audience in on your emotions.

5. Tell a joke.

This isn’t to say that your entire speech needs to be a comedy routine, but telling some light-hearted jokes and adding in some humor throughout your talk can help to engage the audience and lighten the mood. Although this should go without saying, you should never make a joke at the expense of someone in the audience. You’ll lose respect if you attempt to go this route.

6. Keep it light.

You shouldn’t try to instruct your audience with your tremendous wealth of infinite wisdom -- they’ll get bored and you’ll lose them. Instead, keep things short and sweet. Focus on distilling your lessons into two or three points. Teach them through examples, anecdotes and easily digestible tidbits. It’ll be more fun for you -- and them.

7. Pause.

Taking deep breaths can help calm your nerves, so pause and breathe deeply after you make a point. Pausing for a few seconds also shows the audience that you’re confident and not rushing your material.

8. Don’t try to sell something.

There’s enough pressure when you’re on the stage. The last thing you’ll want to be doing is trying to sell something. It’s not clever and it’s not polite. Your presence on stage is enough publicity for the moment. Don’t try to slip a sales pitch in -- you’ll only regret it.

9. Don’t fear your audience.

Don’t fear the crowd. That's easier said than done, but when it comes down to it, giving a speech is basically like having a group conversation, but with a few more people, and of course, you’re the only one talking. The fact is that most of the crowd will be rooting for you anyway. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be there, so you’re in good company.

10. Be willing to make some mistakes.

There’s no shame in making mistakes as you learn. Your first speech is just that -- your first, so don’t worry if you’re not talking like a seasoned pro. You’ll get better in time. Just remember: we are our own worst critics. You may not notice (or remember) the mistakes that other speakers make, but you can be sure that they notice them. If you’re not willing to make mistakes, you won’t be able to improve.

Remember, a great speaker isn’t perfect by any means, but they are passionate about their messages and are able to convey that passion to their audiences.

Don’t worry about being the best speaker of the night. Instead, focus on your enthusiasm and your drive. Think on the purpose behind your speech. Channel some of that into your message, and you’ll give a powerful talk.

http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/248937

Richard Branson on the Art of Public Speaking

Editor's Note: Entrepreneur Richard Branson regularly shares his business experience and advice with readers. Ask him a question and your query might be the inspiration for a future column.

Q: My biggest fear is speaking in public because I usually start shaking or stammering, or sometimes I can't speak at all. How can I overcome my fear?

-- Rispa, Kenya

Rispa, you are not alone. The writer Mark Twain, who knew a thing or two about making a good speech, said: "There are only two types of speakers in the world: 1) the nervous and 2) liars."

If you are worried about public speaking, try tracking down videos of some of my early efforts online -- I'm confident you do well in comparison! I'm thankful that there is no footage of the very first time I spoke in public.

When my first venture, Student magazine, started to gain recognition, I was sometimes asked to talk at gatherings. The first event that could have been considered high-profile was at University College, London, for a German TV channel.

Before my turn came to take the stage, the student leader Danny Cohn-Bendit and the activist Tariq Ali gave exceptional speeches about human rights. They were passionate about their topics, oozed confidence and had the intellectual clout to back up their rhetoric. While the crowd cheered and stamped, I was fighting the temptation to throw up.

My mind went blank when I took the microphone. I mumbled incoherently for a bit before leaving the podium. It was one of the most embarrassing moments of my life, and my face glowed red as the Virgin logo.

A few years later, Sir Freddie Laker, one of my most important mentors and the man who inspired me to get into the airline industry, urged me to make myself the public face of our company. He argued that rather than trying to get people's attention with a big marketing campaign, it would be much cheaper and far more effective for me to make headlines myself -- especially since my small company was competing against bigger rivals. But this meant addressing my problem with public speaking. I realized that if I was going to be the face of our brand, I was going to have to talk the talk.

What I soon learned was that practice made all the difference. The more prepared I was, the less I stammered and stumbled. Good speakers aren't just talented or lucky -- they work hard.

Start practicing your speech well ahead of time at home. Try to get comfortable with the material and learn where you should be forceful and where you should use a lighter tone.

Above all, you should prepare to be yourself. Often when someone delivers a speech that was written for them by somebody else -- politicians come to mind -- it sounds too suave and premeditated.

The key is to understand your message, put your own personality into it and convey it in your own words. Remember, not everybody has a huge vocabulary. Often a short word will work much better than a long one that you may mispronounce anyway -- especially if you suffer from dyslexia like me.

Twain also said: "It usually takes me more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech." Whether you're preparing a few remarks or are just going to answer questions from the crowd, think about potential topics you want to talk about, then write them down -- bullet points will do. It helps to have a rough outline of where you're going to take a point, to keep the conversation moving forward.

Then, when it's time to make your speech in public, try to imagine that you are back in your living room chatting with friends. Pick out someone in the crowd and try to get your point across to them personally -- you'll find the rest of the audience will understand your message too.

Keep in mind that there's no need to stick rigidly to your script if an interesting tangent presents itself. Some of the finest moments in the history of oration include off-the-cuff remarks. Also, this is when spontaneous humor is most likely to erupt. A good joke will not only help you connect with the crowd, but help you relax. If you loosen up a bit, the words will flow more fluently.

To be an impressive public speaker, you have to believe in what you are saying. And if you speak with conviction and you're passionate about your subject, your audience will be far more forgiving of your mistakes because they'll have faith that you are telling the truth. My answers aren't always smooth and immediate, and often include a fair few "erms" and "ahs." But most audiences are far happier with a hesitant, sincere response than a speedy but superficial answer.

Prepare, then take your time and relax. Speak from the heart.

http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/225627

5 Must-Know Public Speaking Tips for Introverts

An email arrives inviting you to speak in front of a group of business leaders, and you panic. You have lots to say and important information to share, but you aren't comfortable speaking in front of large groups. Sound familiar? You're not alone. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 74 percent of adults suffer from speech anxiety.

So what can you do to alleviate this fear? We spoke with Ken Lindner, CEO of Los Angeles-based Ken Lindner & Associates, Inc., a broadcast talent agency and author of Your Killer Emotions (Greenleaf Group Book Press 2013), to learn how to overcome this fear and claim your place in the spotlight.

1. Have a game plan.

"Fear can paralyze you. Having a strategy helps dissipate fear," says Lindner. If you're afraid of consequences like being embarrassed or failing, it brings negative energy. Instead of visualizing negative outcomes or focusing on times you've been embarrassed in the past, picture yourself making a great speech that enlightens and inspires your audience, and all the positives that flow from making that speech, Lindner says.

Short-term benefits of giving a great speech may include educating and inspiring people, while long-term benefits may be more invitations to speak, being viewed as an expert in your field, and more business for your company.

2. Control your environment.

"You're more comfortable with the home court advantage," Lindner notes. Check out the location beforehand, getting a feel for the size of the space and the setup (whether there's a podium, microphone stand, etc.) Lindner suggests having people in the audience that you know, with whom you're comfortable, so there are friendly faces who can smile back or nod reassuringly.

3. Know your material.

"You're the expert -- it's in your wheelhouse," Lindner says. You know more about the topic than your audience, so educate them, Lindner says. People love to be engaged and inspired, he says. "If you talk about things you know and are passionate about, that resonates with people," Lindner says.

4. Be authentic.

One of Lindner's clients is NBC's Today show host Matt Lauer. Lindner says Lauer is likable because "he's warm, he can laugh, he's self-deprecating. He's not scripted, he's who he is." On his show, Lauer has the opportunity to talk with people every day and show his personality. Speakers who do this well, like Oprah Winfrey and Katie Couric, connect with their audiences on a visceral level, notes Lindner. "The people who resonate the most are real and authentic."

To do this, Lindner suggests thinking about the logical sequence of your message: the beginning, middle, and end, and the steps of how to get there. Don't get bogged down with all the facts, Lindner says. Think about the message and what you want people to know. Having a general outline is fine, but be willing to go with the flow, Lindner says.

5. Know your audience.

Like a rock band that plays a different set list depending on where they are and who their audience is, a good speaker will know who's in the audience and tailor their message to them. "Alter your speech so it resonates with them, and is meaningful and relevant to them," Lindner says. Speaking at a live event offers you the opportunity to get immediate feedback and see whether people are responding to their message. Allowing for Q&A gives a speaker the chance to interact with the audience and be real, Lindner says.

http://snip.ly/lVdS#http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/229925

7 Deadly Excuses that May Be Holding You Back

The man who introduced me in New York sounded like God.

Truly, he had a voice that touched the room of well over 2,000 people. After my speech, I asked him, "Why don't you try a career in public speaking? Maybe you can even start your own podcast or get on the radio."

"Na, I'm too old. Plus, it would take too much time and money. And, anyways, I wouldn't even know where to begin."

To my consternation, I pulled the 6-foot-6-inch giant aside and scolded him further, "Listen, your voice could reach thousands, no, millions of people! Have you ever given it a shot?"

"Everybody tells me that I should, but I'm 57 years old. I've been in mortgage banking for three decades now. I certainly couldn't give that job up to start something new and untested," was his reply.

A few moments later, as I swerved through the hallways, I could hear his thunderous voice telling every one, "The keynote speaker is in the Gallardo Room!" For the first time in my life, even after giving 1,000 speeches myself, I thought he should have been the keynote speaker!

Nonetheless, when you're called to do something, you can't make excuses. This was a perfectly gifted man who had every reason to succeed, yet, he made excuses.

Here are seven deadly excuses that may be keeping you from living your dreams:

1. I'm Not Educated Enough

I always hear people telling me that they can't get started because they don't have a college degree. Many of us have been brainwashed into believing that we have to "go to school and get a job." Because of this, people disable themselves from a race that they could have won. 

These people think that everyone in the world are two times smarter than they are. What they really need is to believe in themselves. We are all smart enough. In fact, we are geniuses. Each of us needs all of us and all of us need each of us. If we found a way to apply our geniuses, there's no telling how far we could go. 

2. I Don't Have Enough Experience

This one's for the credential junkie (i.e. John Smith, MBA, CP3, MTV, BET, TALK, ETC.). Some people think they don't have enough experience, so they worry themselves into not living their dreams. These people are basically saying, "I'm not good enough."

I've also seen people settle for far less. Year after year, they work for minimal compensation without even considering that they are good enough to get paid more. Frankly, we all have experience. It's called "life experience." We can use this for any kind of work we are involved with.

3. I'm Too Old or Young

Ronald Reagan was 69 when he was sworn in as president. In fact, while debating for his second term for president, he told the moderator, "I am not going to exploit my opponent's youth and inexperience."

For those who think they are too young, I was 21 years old when I started my business. Age doesn't matter, unless you think it does. Most people let others tell them that they are too old or young. This excuse only leads to other excuses.

4. I Don't Have the Health

I've heard people with asthma tell me, "I can't lose weight because of my asthma." However, it's not their condition that stops them, it's their limited mindset. Stop telling yourself that you have a bad back. Affirm your health in a positive way instead. 

Helen Keller was blind, deaf, and speechless, yet she was able to make her mark in history. Franklin Delano Roosevelt had polio and was still able to run for three terms during the biggest depression in American history. You can do anything if you put your mind and heart to it. 

5. I Don't Have Enough Time

People who "don't have time" generally don't want to make the time. They want the success, but they won't make it a priority. We all have time to make it happen. What these people are really saying is that they don't know how to get started.

All it takes is a few hours of study and application to get started. If you don't have one hour each day, you don't have a life. If you make time for your dream, the puzzle will work itself in order. Most people are preparing to get prepared, but they rarely end up doing anything because it's too late.

6. No One is Supporting Me

Many people act like they have to succeed by themselves. They'll blame their spouse, kids, parents, and boss for not being able to live their dreams. The fact is that they only have themselves to blame. These people also use the excuse, "I don't live in the right area" or "You don't know what I go through."

If you don't have support, find it. The people who you have around you may have the right intentions of helping you, but may have the wrong directions in leading you. You have to search diligently for people who will be aligned with the goals you have set for yourself. People are looking for you as much as you're looking for them. 

7. I Don't Have the Money

This the biggest excuse on the list. In fact, most people make the other excuses to avoid admitting this one. The fact is that we all have money, but we have to learn how to use it. Most people simply don't want to use their creativity to make their dreams happen. 

I started my business with an excess of $100,000 in debt. However, I believed in my plan and I began to raise the capital. You can only succeed if you have a way of attaining money to sustain your dream. We all think about money every day, but we need the right thoughts about it. When the mind is ready, the money will come. 

Bonus: I'm Not the Right Sex or Race

Many women still believe that there is a glass ceiling. Some minorities also feel like they are still enslaved. However, Oprah said, "Excellence is the best deterrent to racism and sexism." Truly, the universe doesn't care what race or sex you are. All it wants is your best efforts, which is the usage of your genius. 

Are you using any of these excuses? If so, check yourself before you wreck yourself. There is nothing in the world that can stop you, except yourself.  When you get past these excuses, you will be able to live an unlimited life and experience the abundance which is always available to you. Remember, if you believe in yourself, everyone in the world will believe in you. 

http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/251480

9 Ways Introverts Can (Quietly) Outperform All the Loud People Around Them

Introverts have great strengths. They just don't go around yelling about them.
How can introverts become successful when it seems the world only has time to listen to those who shout the loudest? 

Susan Cain's book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking has been a bestseller ever since it was first published back in 2012. Cain also recently launched Quiet Revolution, which she describes as "a mission-based company that offers parenting and educational services to unlock the power of introverts." 

She recently did an "ask me anything" event on Product Hunt. Here are 10 highlights of what she had to say about how introverts can succeed and find happiness in a world dominated by louder voices.

1. Learn to take risks.

"It's easier to take risks in the service of something or someone you really care about. Professor Brian Little speaks of our "core personal projects"--the projects and people we place at the center of our lives. What and who are these for you? Once you've identified them, don't even think in terms of risk or not-risk. Just think in terms of how do you accomplish your goals."

2. Ignore the misconceptions.

"The No. 1 biggest misconception [is] thinking introverts are unfriendly or antisocial, when in fact we just like to socialize differently, more intensely, with a smaller group of people. ... I would add to this answer that people often see introverts as less powerful (because we tend to speak more softly, not enjoy conflict, etc.), when in fact introverts possess a whole suite of powers that have moved the world--powers of persistence, of concentration, of sensitivity, of ability to think deeply, and so on."

3. Practice before preaching (literally).

"I used to be really scared of public speaking, so I spent the year before my book came out (and the year before giving that TED talk) practicing public speaking in small, manageable, low-stakes settings. Do not begin by giving a TED talk! ... You want to practice over and over with audiences before whom it doesn't matter how much you seem nervous or forget what you were going to say."

4. Leverage your strengths as a salesperson.

"[F]ollow the age-old sales wisdom: "We all have two ears and one mouth and should use them in that proportion." Truly, the best salespeople listen really well and think about--and care--what their prospects need."

5. Work by yourself if that works best.

"Just ... say so. And if you can point to examples of great work you've gotten done via such a process, all the better."

6. Motivate yourself by focusing on mission.

"I remember, when Quiet first came out, feeling raw and exposed to the world. But I really did get used to it over time, and learned to focus not on the exposed feeling but rather on the sense of mission that made me write the book in the first place. That's what I tune in to now every single day."

7. Be inspired by other introverted leaders.

"Jim Collins did a famous study where he looked at the CEOs of the 11 best performing companies, and found that all 11 of them were described by their peers and colleagues as quiet, unassuming, low-key, soft-spoken, even shy. Gandhi was this kind of leader, as was Eleanor Roosevelt. Look around Silicon Valley today ... from Larry Page to Bill Gates and beyond."

8. On being an introverted entrepreneur.

"[W]hile sometimes you will have to act outside your comfort zone, it's much better to figure out how to communicate passion and conviction while still being yourself. ...  If it is coming from an authentic place, people will feel it. It also helps to have an extroverted partner or senior colleague who can do the things you don't like to do, and vice versa. My favorite example of this is Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook's introverted CEO, and Sheryl Sandberg, extroverted COO. They are the ultimate yin-yang pair."

9. Learn to "advertise yourself."

"I would look for ways to showcase your expertise--whether through internal company blogs, small speaking roles at a company conference, etc. Second, if you have expertise that your colleagues could benefit from--share it! Send them emails with info they can use, etc. And finally, ... [make] a list of some of your accomplishments. ... Even if you never share the list with anyone, it will help center you emotionally around the value you bring."

http://www.inc.com/bill-murphy-jr/heres-how-introverts-can-quietly-outperform-all-the-loud-people-around-them.html