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HOW FAR WOULD YOU GO TO GET OUT OF GIVING A SPEECH?
If you're not one of the 3 people in your company who actually
likes to give presentations, how do you deal with giving
one?
If the pen slips out of your sweaty hand every time you
try to organize your presentation, if guzzling orange juice
doesn't remove the cotton from your mouth, if your knees
give you false earthquake reports when you're speaking,
read on.
Here are 7 tips for making it easier to enjoy speaking:
1. Humor
yourself. The next time someone says to you,
"You're making a presentation at the next Board meeting,"
say "Thank you for telling me. I'll be happy to do that."
This takes a little practice. Practice saying it to yourself
occasionally so you can say it relatively spontaneously
when the moment comes. It works. Amazing, but true.
2. Consciously
choose not to be nervous. Take charge of your
thinking - you have more control than you think.
You can choose to think about how much you hate speaking,
OR, you can choose to think about why they need to hear
what you have to say.
3. Get
a grip - on your subject, that is. Don't wait
until the last minute. Save needless suffering by focusing
for a few minutes as soon as you get the assignment.
Spend about 15 uninterrupted minutes deciding what you want
the audience to do after you talk to them. State it in a
single complete sentence. Then you can follow your usual
approach of not thinking about it until the last minute.
By that time, you'll have effortlessly collected most of
the information you need.
4. Set
yourself up for success. Give yourself a "jump
start." Open with a piece of the topic that appeals to you
that's appropriate for this audience.
First, if you're interested in it, they probably will be,
too. And, second, if you're that interested, you'll look
forward to telling them. It will be easier for you to remember,
too.
5. Use everyday
conversational language that's natural to you. Business
people are human. Just under the surface of that business
suit, lies a human being. Don't bore them with the usual
business words. This is another way to make it easier for
you to remember what you want to say.
6. Refocus
whenever you need to. If you panic from time
to time, refocus from yourself to your purpose. Remember
why your audience needs to know what you're going to be
telling them, and get yourself out of the way; do this every
time you have nervous symptoms. Especially in the middle
of the night. Or in the middle of your presentation.
7. Don't
start talking until your brain is fully functioning.
The audience will wait for you. And they won't think you're
a loser. Better to feel in control of your thinking, than
to get started feeling off balance and out of control.
You'll have a lot more poise and polish if you coordinate
your mind and mouth before saying anything.
Follow these suggestions and you'll gradually become confident,
calm, and convincing. You can be one of those 3 people who
enjoys giving presentations.
For more information, contact:
Barbara Rocha and Associates
PO Box 60521, Pasadena, California 91116
(626) 792-8075 or toll free at (888) 800-2001
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