Manage your fear!

As a Speaking Coach, I can move you from FEAR!!!    to     Feeling Excited and Ready to go!

Psychologists tell us that the primary reason for the fear of public speaking is the fear of rejection.  That your peers or your audience will not see you as good enough.  There are a number of tips that I can give you to overcome this fear.  But first, let’s identify the fears and anxieties.

Recently I posted an article on TheRiotACT about the fear many people have of public speaking.the-riotact.com/tag/speak2us

Expressing an opinion and posting on the net often produces a result you don’t expect.  The Riot Act’s editors headed my article “Are you scared of public speaking?” Sure enough, one person wrote:  “I’m scared of everything.”

Seriously though, the words “Public Speaking” and “Fear of” are very often seen and thought of as a given.

As a Public Speaking Coach for more than 11 years now, my clients have described all sorts of fears, reactions and symptoms they experienced when asked to speak and present in front of other people.   (I’ve experienced nearly all of these at some stage in my speaking career, so I appreciate that the feelings are real and I know the feelings are authentic.)

Here’s the list.  Can you add to it?  I’d appreciate your contribution and/or your comments.

Avoidance:   I move out of the picture in case I might be asked to speak.

Previous negative experiences:  Something “awful” happened on another occasion.

Over preparation:  I spend heaps of time preparing and preparing and nothing is ever final.

Procrastination:  I go around and around the issue and never finish writing the speech.

Title Hang up:  I spend so much time on the Title and never get to the body (“guts”) of the speech.

Physical Symptoms: Dry Mouth, Fast Breathing, Heart Pumping, Stomach Churning; Red Flushes on Face and Neck; Legs Wobbly, Legs dancing Uncontrollably, Mind goes Blank; Shock when hearing own voice.

You’ve got the picture?  Let me know your experience with public speaking – good and bad.



We speak, we sing - it's all the same thing

We speak, we sing - it's really the same thing.
  We use our voice -it's an instrument.   We can make lots of lovely sounds - no real need for words. Just sounds. The centre of your being - your diaphragm breathing - is what generates your most attractive voice.  If you breathe from your upper chest - you'll have nowhere near the capacity of breath as from your diaphragm.  And  if you are very anxious, your shoulders might end up touching your ears!
When you are asleep you breathe naturally from your diaphragm.  Ever watch a cat sleeping? their breathing comes from the diaphragm.  Diaphragm breathing is the very first step to managing nervousness when you are speaking or singing in public.  Did you ever see a cat that was stressed?   You, too, can de-stress by using diaphragm breathing.
Did you see the movie "The King's Speech"?  Did you see the Queen sitting on the chest of the King?  To help him strengthen his diaphragm.
So, here's a tip - when you are driving in your car - you probably sing along a bit to your favourite music.  Try breathing in and pushing your diaphragm out at the same time.  Do that a few times for a very energising, but calm, state of mind.  Go further and say "Kah, Hah, Gah" nice and loud -it's great exercise for your voice!  Your unique voice. For more info on breathing from the diaphragm and why it's good for speaking and singing check out:  http://www.ask.com/questions-about/Diaphragmatic-Breathing

Daily Voice Exercises

Daily Voice Exercises for Speakers

These vocal exercises will not only help your voice but, but by working the facial muscles, will keep you young looking as well! 
Find a corner in your house – and say these exercises out loud – into the corner.  It acts as an “acoustic device” and you become used to hearing the sound of your own voice. 
Why is it important to get used to hearing your own voice?  Most often, the moment that speakers are most nervous is at the beginning of their presentations – when all they can hear is their own voice!
All of these drills must be said out loud. Repeat each one twice a day. I promise you, you’ll develop and maintain your good speaking voice.

The Tongue in Speech

§  Two little toddlers playing table tennis

§  Twenty two players taken out for a treat

§  Fifteen metre tracks are shorter than fifty metre tracks

§  Adults who play table tennis are extremely fit

Consonant sounds

§  Badminton racquets are lighter than cricket bats

§  Isn’t it time you tried the high jump

§  You need to attack if you want to win

§  Hitting tennis balls while sitting down is terribly difficult

Resonance
Hum the ‘m’ and ‘n’ sounds

§  Now is the time to introduce netball

§  Swimming is fun in the summer months

§  My martial arts instructor always smiles when he wins

§  Mini tennis is fun for small children

Lip agility

§  Betty plays competitive badminton

§  Weightlifters acquire many muscles

§  Boys love to play billiards

§  When I play polo I usually win

Vowel Sounds

Open the mouth wide for all the vowel sounds

i (eye)

§  My smile is wide as I cross the winning line

§  I cried when they scored a try

§  I’m too frightened to try and jump that high

§  I try to smile even while I am losing

o (oh)

§  Throw it slowly into the yellow box

§  Follow the arrows to avoid the snow

§  My coach is called Joe

§  Go and show Flo a Judo throw

a (ay)

§  I’m afraid you didn’t make the relay team

§  Croquet is played at eight

§  There isn’t enough space in this place for a race

§  Stay there Jay and pick up the weight

a (ah)

§  Martial Arts won’t harm my arm

§  Stay calm, don’t argue, I’ll spar with you

§  My car can go fast

§  I can’t lift the bar very far with my bad arm

Have fun with these - they're seriously good! 

Speak2us and "the King's Speech"

Don't miss the movie “The King’s Speech.” Just the trailer moved me to tears when the King (Colin Firth) says, in a rage, “listen to me, listen to me” and Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush) replies “why should I waste my time listening to you?”  “Because I have a voice!” shouts the King. The Australian Speaking Coach and Therapist, Lionel Logue was a master. Way before his time. Exercises to develop and maintain the voice.  Activities to release the inhibition that feeds the fear.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOtnSnVUouM  

So, what’s your take on this speaking thing?  Why is it still #1 on the List of Common Fears?  How will you release this powerful instrument that is your unique voice?  Take your place in the spotlight and speak with confidence.  Because you have a voice!

I'll show you how to think on your feet, choose the right words and speak with confidence!

http://www.speak2us.com.au/

Speaking Coach, Canberra

www.speak2us.com.au

www.speak2us.com.au

Good speakers aren’t born.  They’re created

Most good speakers have had a good Speaking Coach.

As a Speaking Coach, I work one-to-one, or in a small group at your workplace, to give you skills that will last you a lifetime.  I guarantee that after a few coaching sessions you will grow in confidence, speaking ability and performance.  You will be a confident speaker.

I'll share with you speaking tips on how to connect with your audience and how to prepare a structure and purpose for your talk - how to sell yourself and your message.

I’ll also share with you some of  the “No-No’s”.  Please - no clichés, no jargon, no jokes (unless you are a professional comedian).



December - What does it take to be an Auctioneer!

I always remember December 1, as it's my school-friend Olga's birthday. She's somewhere in the snows of Winnipeg whilst I am usually baking in the sun by now - but this year is different. Very different. We have had more rain in Canberra and other parts of Australia than I have ever seen! So, it's soggy.

One of the fabulous things about www.speak2us.com.au - my speaking business - is that I have such a variety of clients. This week I am working with a person who is soon to become an Auctioneer of Real Estate. Now that requires a lot of concentration and performance skills. Not to mention taking care of and maintaining the voice. (You can't picture an auctioneer without a voice can you?)

I've been wondering how people who go to real estate auctions really see the Auctioneer?

How do they expect them to act? What can the Auctioneer do to make clients feel comfortable

and feel that they can trust them?

Another Melbourne Cup Day

First time ever, I missed the running of the Melbourne Cup. Instead, I was preparing a program of World Music at ArtSound Radio 92.7 in Canberra. It streams to the world on www.artsound.fm Last night , I presented my very first program of "World Vibe" - I love world music because it explores all of the emotions of the human heart. When I played "Lullaby for Kamila" I thought of all the new-born babies that day - nestling in the arms of their mothers and fathers. And I thought of our cousins, Jolanta and Marek Urban in Warszawa, where I first heard it. It's the second track on the CD "East meets West", Nigel Kennedy and the Kroke Band. Nigel's virtuoso violin is truly amazing. I played lots of violin, lots of gypsy, klezmer and even reggae from West Papua. Surely there is more that binds us.
This blend of Speak2us at www.speak2us.com.au my speaking coach business, where I help people who are speaking somewhere for any purpose at all - and my part in the team of presenters at ArtSound, makes me say "THIS is heaven!"