Public Speaking Confidence
The Top 3 Reasons for a Lack of Confidence When Speaking
Today I was on a field trip with my son. One of the mothers brought a gift for the teacher to be given at the end of the day.
Four of the ladies grouped together to decide who would present the gift. One spoke up immediately, “I don’t say ANYTHING in front of groups so I’m out.” Each lady made a case for why she should NOT be the one to say something.
We’re talking about twenty words in front of fifteen fifth graders. That’s it. Yet not one of the moms had enough confidence to do it. Each competed with the others for the title of most inept.
Yet, that very same lack of confidence exists in most speakers.
If I could sum up the insecurity of speakers in three areas, here’s what they would be…
Number 1: Lack of Self-Confidence
It’s not that people are just insecure about speaking. Most people are insecure in all areas of life.
They are able to survive day to day because no spotlight shines on all their believed weaknesses. Because they live and breathe in the “shadows,” each day provides little difficulty or challenge.
Speaking is different. Everyone sees exactly how talented you are – or aren’t. The insecurity felt day to day becomes immediately visible for all.
Number Two: Lack of Experience.
With no performance records on hand a person doesn’t know how he or she will be accepted or perceived. Honestly, most people work their entire lives to carefully control perception. Experience teaches them how to react, what to say how to say it, etc.
However, with speaking there is often no track record. When someone has never spoken to a group, they have no way of measure how well they will do.
A person’s career requires training and/or education, yet the vast majority of speakers have zero communication instruction. This only exacerbates their insecurity.
Number Three: Lack of Positive Belief
In twenty-seven years of speaking I’ve never had a coaching client begin by telling me the reasons the speech or presentation will succeed. They ALL shared what could go wrong. They expected disaster.
Earl Nightingale said years ago, “You become what you think about.” That same idea has been shared by numerous teachers for thousands of years.
What do you think about when it comes to speaking? Do you think about what can go wrong or what WILL go right?
Did you notice something about the top three? They all begin with lack. Lack simply means something has not been filled… but it can be. You can choose to stay right where you are as a speaker, or you can DO something to fill in the areas of lack. It’s up to you.
Have a GREAT day!
Paul Evans
Professional Speaker
www.InstantSpeakingSuccess.com
P.S. Through the years I’ve had tons of speakers and non-speakers ask about my confidence in life. My philosophy as it relates to life and public speaking can be found in this resource…
http://www.instantspeakingsuccess.com/confidence-system.htm
Today I was on a field trip with my son. One of the mothers brought a gift for the teacher to be given at the end of the day.
Four of the ladies grouped together to decide who would present the gift. One spoke up immediately, “I don’t say ANYTHING in front of groups so I’m out.” Each lady made a case for why she should NOT be the one to say something.
We’re talking about twenty words in front of fifteen fifth graders. That’s it. Yet not one of the moms had enough confidence to do it. Each competed with the others for the title of most inept.
Yet, that very same lack of confidence exists in most speakers.
If I could sum up the insecurity of speakers in three areas, here’s what they would be…
Number 1: Lack of Self-Confidence
It’s not that people are just insecure about speaking. Most people are insecure in all areas of life.
They are able to survive day to day because no spotlight shines on all their believed weaknesses. Because they live and breathe in the “shadows,” each day provides little difficulty or challenge.
Speaking is different. Everyone sees exactly how talented you are – or aren’t. The insecurity felt day to day becomes immediately visible for all.
Number Two: Lack of Experience.
With no performance records on hand a person doesn’t know how he or she will be accepted or perceived. Honestly, most people work their entire lives to carefully control perception. Experience teaches them how to react, what to say how to say it, etc.
However, with speaking there is often no track record. When someone has never spoken to a group, they have no way of measure how well they will do.
A person’s career requires training and/or education, yet the vast majority of speakers have zero communication instruction. This only exacerbates their insecurity.
Number Three: Lack of Positive Belief
In twenty-seven years of speaking I’ve never had a coaching client begin by telling me the reasons the speech or presentation will succeed. They ALL shared what could go wrong. They expected disaster.
Earl Nightingale said years ago, “You become what you think about.” That same idea has been shared by numerous teachers for thousands of years.
What do you think about when it comes to speaking? Do you think about what can go wrong or what WILL go right?
Did you notice something about the top three? They all begin with lack. Lack simply means something has not been filled… but it can be. You can choose to stay right where you are as a speaker, or you can DO something to fill in the areas of lack. It’s up to you.
Have a GREAT day!
Paul Evans
Professional Speaker
www.InstantSpeakingSuccess.com
P.S. Through the years I’ve had tons of speakers and non-speakers ask about my confidence in life. My philosophy as it relates to life and public speaking can be found in this resource…
http://www.instantspeakingsuccess.com/confidence-system.htm
1 Comments:
Excellent blog - lots of top-notch public speaking information! I'll definitely keep on visiting. By the way, I have just started a public speaking blog of my own at http://master-public-speaking.blogspot.com
If you're interested why not pay it a visit?
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