Business Promotion: Public Speaking Confidence

Instant Speaking Success
By Paul Evans
September 6, 2008
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Many thanks for the great feedback on the last newsletter. Here are
a couple...

Hi Paul,

I just wanted to say I really loved this article.

It's all too easy when you're starting out to let other people
decide things for you because we all need people to help us grow
and need support along the way. But your article highlights the
dangers of when we put other peoples' opinions above our own, and
if the feedback is largely good, then we shouldn't concentrate on
the minority of people who may be offended by what we share.

Talking is one of those activities where we put ourselves on the
line for the benefit of others. It's not helpful to back down when
one person gets uppity when almost everyone else has benefited from
what we had to say.

Thanks for reminding me.

Best wishes,
Steve

Thanks, Paul, for this article. What you say is very true, but
seeing it in print is very supportive. I did my first keynote
speech in October and was thrilled by 96% of the feedback. I have
to admit though that the 4% who didn't find me "wonderful" could
have bothered me hugely. Fortunately they told me that I needed to
be much more humorous. I was able to balance out those comments
with the majority who said they wished I'd talked longer. Speaking
is an exciting form of connection and I am doing what I love. My
goal is to do much more, and leave the naysayers to find what they
think they want elsewhere.
Thanks again for all you're sharing!
Linda

You might be thinking, "What does any of that have to do with
public speaking?"

What is the bottom line of the "critics" newsletter and that
feedback?

CONFIDENCE.

***
You have to believe that when YOU combine your knowledge and skill
the results will be dead on. You have to believe that YOU are THE
ONE who needs to share whatever is required by the listener.
***

The #1 reason for failure is lack of confidence. Low self-esteem.
Insecurity. Label it what you want, it is a detriment. A killer.

Lack of confidence, not a lack of knowledge or skill, kills most
public speakers.

Confidence is certainty. It's knowing you CAN and WILL.

It's not arrogance.

In fact, it's the opposite of arrogance. Confidence is about your
impact on yourself and others in a positive way. We have doubts
when we don't believe we can, or deserve, to make an impact.

You can have knowledge and skill and still FEEL like a loser, so
how do you get confident?

You begin by THINKING confidently. See yourself succeeding. Give
your mind permission to only see the positive results. Eradicate
the images and thoughts of failure.

Next, TALK to yourself and others confidently. Get rid of defeatist
language. Speak with assurance. Speak with a tone that says your
attitude, character, and abilities are firmly in place. Surround
yourself with others who talk to and about you confidently. Others
who believe in you.

Finally, TRIUMPH. Concentrate on your successes. Replay the wins.
Keep thank you cards, awards and anything else that says, "I
appreciate what you did for me." Review them regularly.

Does all this sounds like psychological mumbo jumbo?

Really?

Here's some mumbo jumbo:

***
The insecure and unconfident believe what others say about them
negatively, more than what they say about themselves positively!
***

Focus on your greatest strengths and speak through those strengths!

If you are interested in gaining more confidence, check out these
two resources...

Confident Speaking:
http://tinyurl.com/36hmuq

Confident Living:
http://tinyurl.com/33t59n

Have a GREAT day!

Paul Evans

www.InstantSpeakingSuccess.com

Speak with Content:
www.InstantSpeakingSuccess.com/spk.htm