Imagine you are the most amazing figure skater who ever lived. When rehearsing in a peaceful, empty rink, you demonstrate the ultimate in athleticism and artistry. You defy the laws of gravity as you leap in the air, landing with flawless precision. You spin with effortless grace and power; you execute jumps other skaters only dream about. On that ice, you are in your element, doing what you love to do and doing it perfectly.
In rehearsal, that is.
The next day, you enter the same rink for the big competition. When you look into the stands, you see thousands of eyeballs on you. As you begin your program, you skate self-consciously, hesitantly. You stumble on moves you usually don't even have to think about. You forget what comes next. You wobble and bobble and barely get through the program on your feet.
Now, consider this: Your frustrated coach barrels up to you and bellows, "That's it! From now on, we're spending two extra hours a day in rehearsal until you get this right in competition!" Question: Will that tactic solve the problem? Of course not, because the problem is not in the realm of the skating. (Remember, you skated the program perfectly 24 hours ago.) The problem is in the realm of the EYEBALLS. You can skate until your feet fall off, but until you make peace with those eyeballs, you will continue to stumble in the spotlight.
So It Is With Public Speaking
Most people say, "One-on-one I'm fine. It's only when I'm in front of a group that I get nervous." If you can speak confidently and clearly one-on-one, it means you already know the content and can convey it well (like skating perfectly in rehearsal). The problem comes when a speech coach says, "OK, we're going to have you rehearse the speech five more times in the conference room to make sure you get it right when you present in front of the Board." Emphasizing the content and delivery has limited value because it attacks the problem from the realm of the SPEAKING. But where most people suffer most is in the realm of the EYEBALLS.
Sure, you're more likely to withstand the eyeballs if you feel confident in your material, but the discomfort will still be there. Techniques and gimmicks (like "picture the audience naked" or "start with a joke" or "look at the back wall if you're too nervous to make eye contact") won't help either. These tricks just put up a barrier; they don't solve the problem.
So what is the answer? Realize that the problem is not that you don't know how to speak; it's that you're not used to being THE CENTER OF ATTENTION. You see those eyeballs and suddenly you're thrust outside of your comfortable anonymity into the shocking realization that someone is actually paying attention. You shy away from the attention, the intense energy. But ironically, the energy in those eyeballs can energize and comfort you-once you let it in.
Yes, eyeballs almost always have positive energy behind them because listeners want you to succeed. Even if you face grouches in the crowd, you can count at least a few positive eyeball vibes coming toward you. Soak in the positive energy and send it back out in the form of genuine warmth and concern for your listeners. Seeing that concern invites even more positive energy, which keeps the cycle going.
Far-Fetched Idea?
It may seem far-fetched at first. But the only way to make peace with those eyeballs is to stop avoiding them and explore them instead. Seek them out. Peer back with your own eyeballs and see what's really there. It takes practice, of course. To get started, seek out a positive setting such as a SPEAKING CIRCLE* or supportive group of friends. Remember, you're already a speaker. You're just not accustomed to being a recipient of listening-a skill that can only be mastered in the mysterious, wondrous, scary, exciting realm of eyeballs.
* The SPEAKING CIRCLE(R) methodology is a revolutionary new approach for building speaking skill and power. It's based on the book Be Heard Now by Lee Glickstein. For more information, go to www.speakingcircles.com.
About The Author
Melissa Lewis turns traditional thinking about public speaking upside down to give people more comfort, confidence, and charisma in front of groups. For more information, call (913) 341-1241 or visit www.upsidedownspeaking.com, melissa@upsidedownspeaking.com
Once upon a time there was a businessperson who had... Read More
8 Ways to Improve Your Presentation Skills 1. Join Toastmasters.... Read More
I had a chance to go to one of those... Read More
Preperation is vital when conducting a successful videoconference session. Thus... Read More
Every day, so many tens of thousands of innocent clients... Read More
At some point in your presentation you will be expected... Read More
Regardless of the nature of our job or social standing,... Read More
"I didn't have 3000 pairs of shoes. I had only... Read More
If you're ready to kick your career or business up... Read More
Kvetching is the Yiddish word for complaining, hand to the... Read More
The international flavour of many people's jobs naturally means that... Read More
"I have a love/hate relationship with PowerPoint. In the right... Read More
Have you ever been slideswiped? You walk into a meeting... Read More
DEVELOPING LESSON PLANS: In developing lesson plan formats, two things... Read More
If you deliver electronic presentations using PowerPoint or other programs,... Read More
Whether you are training preschoolers in the classroom or executives... Read More
People take it for granted that leaders have achieved some... Read More
Eye contact is mandatory when giving a public presentation.The goal... Read More
In March 2002, the comic strip Beetle Bailey contained a... Read More
(Excerpted From the Jim Rohn Millennium Weekend Event)Persistence in your... Read More
Regardless of the nature of our job or social standing,... Read More
Are poor presentations costing you business?The ability to deliver a... Read More
So you're not a professional speaker. That's no excuse for... Read More
I had been working on a logo idea for several... Read More
Media training is a 'must do' professional development program for... Read More
The most important tip...EVER!Make sure that you always think of... Read More
When was the last time you thought about what you... Read More
There is an old saying: "The first thing to do... Read More
As a former owner of a National Speakers Bureau, I... Read More
The quality of your sales presentation will often determine whether... Read More
"There can be no knowledge without emotion. We may be... Read More
Did the "Painless" part of the title get your attention?Speaking... Read More
It is both good planning and considerate to provide auditors... Read More
How do you come across in your emails?As I receive... Read More
CHARACTERISTICS OF AN EFFECTIVE FACILITATOR: As chairperson, focus on the... Read More
Whether you need to address large groups or small, familiar... Read More
Long long ago, it was the time when time itself... Read More
Never rehearse at the last minute. This creates undue tension... Read More
Myth 1: Executives belong in meetings.Although the demands of business... Read More
Communication is a complex and often difficult process for both... Read More
Where can you choose a company shirt vendor? There are... Read More
How many people will need to see the screen? A... Read More
There are many definitions for presentations. When you present there... Read More
Here, David Letterman style, are what I consider to be... Read More
What is stage presence? Can it be learned?There are, undoubtedly,... Read More
THE LITTLE-KNOWN SPEECHWRITING SECRETS THAT WON GEORGE W. BUSH THE... Read More
Cattiness is something no one ever wants to be accused... Read More
How many times have you attended a meeting where the... Read More
Interview with Julia Apple-Smith, Manager of Employee Development at Sauer-Danfoss... Read More
At some point in your presentation you will be expected... Read More
When was the last time you thought about what you... Read More
If you're ready to kick your career or business up... Read More
Flash chart, flash map, flash graph may be mistaken for... Read More
In March 2002, the comic strip Beetle Bailey contained a... Read More
Company attire says a lot about your business philosophy to... Read More
I just got back from my whirlwind speaking engagements and... Read More
Many of us use PowerPoint to convey a message to... Read More
So you're not a professional speaker. That's no excuse for... Read More
If you are taking your newest products to a trade... Read More
Tomorrow's the day and you're dreading it. You're scheduled to... Read More
MANAGING MEETINGS--BEING PREPARED MAKES A DIFFERENCE: You can schedule all... Read More
Preperation is vital when conducting a successful videoconference session. Thus... Read More
People remember best what you say last. In a presentation,... Read More
"The human brain starts working the moment you are born... Read More
Conventional wisdom is that the more choices customers have, the... Read More
Whether you use a mouse or a remote control to... Read More
Presentation |