How to Prepare your Mind/Body to Give Great Speeches

Sure you have catecholamines ? all speakers do. (including Sir Winston Churchill and Presidents Kennedy, Carter, and Reagan.) Those are the chemicals that make you sweat, make your heart beat fast and make your hands shake. Get rid of those chemical and psychological reactions by becoming message-centered and audience-centered, not self-centered.

1 Replace fear and negative noise with positive affirmations. Create new beliefs that nurture you and support you with new ways of thinking. The New Adult You! example: "I am well prepared, and the audience wants me to succeed."

2. Do a quiet meditation, visualization, or exercise before you speak. Breathe deeply. Deep breathing sends a message to your brain that you have nothing to fear. It calms you down.

3 Who cares if you're nervous? Researchers have found that most people report noticing little or no anxiety in a speaker. If you are thoroughly prepared, your internal nervousness seldom shows. Prepare 150%.

4.Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse. Talk out loud, and walk around while you practice. Use the same physical energy you plan to use on the day of your presentation.

The Coach sez. . . practice in front of your mirror .Practice in the car. If you can concentrate while driving, you will be able to pull it from your unconscious when are you in front of the group. Make your points sound spontaneous and conversational.

5. Exercise is an antidote to stress. Arrive early and take a brisk walk for at least five minutes. If it is raining or snowing outside, you can still do some body stretches.

6. Abstain from caffeine and alcohol before you speak. You don't need more jitters. Always wear your favorite outfit and use attractive colors. Women, go simple on the jewelry. Avoid too much black and white.

7. For trembling hands, place your hands on the side of your chair, and, count to 10 as you try to lift the seat. This is an isometric exercise that works and nobody will notice you doing it.

8. Don't be perfect. Give yourself permission to make mistakes. No one is perfect in real life. Get the butterflies in your stomach to fly in formation. That's how you convert your stress into speaking power!

9. Reduce your nervousness by taking several deep breaths immediately before you 're introduced. And for you chocoholics, eat some chocolate to relax your vocal chords.

11 If you experience dry mouth, chew your tongue to increase saliva flow. Singers do this. Close your lips and bite down on the entire surface. Always have a glass of tepid (not cold) water nearby.

12 Focus on a friendly face in the audience. Pretend you are having a conversation, rather than giving a speech. Just be yourself.

13 The Coach sez. . .Most of all, enjoy yourself and have fun. SMILE. After all, aren't you glad to be there? The sign of a mature adult is one who does not take himself too seriously.

14 Here is a vocal warm-up exercise used at the Ryal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London. Say:PaPaPaPa, BaBaBaBa, TaTaTaTa, DaDaDaDa, KaKaKaKa, GaGaGaGa Then do it backwards. (from Robert and Rande Gedaliah)

Get more speaking skills at our "Summer Sizzle" webpage: www.schrift.com/summer_sizzle.htm

©2004 by Sandra Schrift. All rights reserved

Publishing Guidelines: You are welcome to publish this article in its entirety, electronically, or in print fre*e of charge, as long as you include my full signature file for ezines, and my Web site address. Please send a courtesy link or email where you publish to sandra@schrift.com. Thank you.

About The Author

Sandra Schrift 13 year speaker bureau owner and career coach to emerging and veteran public speakers who want to "grow" a profitable speaking business. I also work with business professionals and organizations who want to master their presentations.

To find out How to Become a Highly Paid Professional Speaker, go to http://www.schrift.com/ProfessionalSpeaker/

Join complimentary bi-weekly Monday Morning Mindfulness ezine http://www.schrift.com/monday.htm

---

Take The Fear Out Of Public Speaking

You're a bright, dynamic executive. You've been scheduled to give... Read More

Public Speaking for Scaredy Cats

Business communications researchers have studied the phenomenon of stage fright... Read More

If You Arent a Little Nervous, You Arent Paying Attention

The fear of public speaking is one of the most... Read More

How to Write and Deliver an Outstanding Speech - Using the PEPP Talk Forumla

I learned my craft as a speaker a long time... Read More

15 Ways To Keep Your Speaking Inspiring and Creative

When stressed or blocked it is wise to make a... Read More

Get Real

Humans are born storytellers, but our education system doesn't help... Read More

10 Worst Tips To Give A Speaker

1. Learn the speech by heart or read it from... Read More

Making Transitions

Ever notice how smoothly some speakers or writers move you... Read More

The Little-Known Speechwriting Secrets That Won George W Bush The US Election

He's been accused of "mangling the language, destroying its meaning... Read More

A Simple Guide to Writing (and Giving) a Speech

Nearly as dreaded as snakes and spiders, public speaking ranks... Read More

13 Publicity Tips for Professional Speakers

In a funk because other speakers seem to be snagging... Read More

Five Tired, Worn Out Speaking Cliches

The subject of public speaking is riddled with tired, worn... Read More

15 Tips For Making A Great Speech

1. Listen to your internal dialog. 2. Visualize a positive... Read More

A Quick Tip for Delivering a Great Speech

Does speaking in public leave you tongue-tied? Do you stumble... Read More

Top 7 Steps to Better Public Speaking

Whether you want to be a part time, full time... Read More

How to Create a Compelling Media Kit

A well-built media kit is vital for effective marketing. Without... Read More

Ten Fatal Flaws Frequently Found from the Podium

1. No clear purpose for the presentation. What is the... Read More

Public Speaking:10 Simple Steps to Confident Speaking

1.Preparation The most important step in public speaking is... Read More

Getting Yourself Known

What are the 5 best ways of getting known in... Read More

How to Prepare your Mind/Body to Give Great Speeches

Sure you have catecholamines ? all speakers do. (including Sir... Read More

Ten Steps to Fearless Public Speaking

There is plenty of dubious material which suggests you can... Read More

How to Get Paid to Speak

Now that you have all the contacts you can possibly... Read More

A Short Guide to Effective Public Speaking

Delivering an effective presentation to 20 or to 200 people... Read More

How Well Do You Speak?

The ability to speak well can enhance your career, clinch... Read More

How to Use your Inner Circle

Who do you know that knows that you speak?There is... Read More

How To Dramatically Improve Your Public Speaking Skills

This Article Is For Those Who Understand How Persuasive Communication,... Read More

How To Use Microphones

Microphones are designed to help your voice, not replace it.... Read More

How To Make A Blue Ribbon Presentation Every Time

You can make a Blue Ribbon presentation each and every... Read More

Is Information Delivery Instruction?

Do you work for one of those organisations whose "training"... Read More

Speak in Public! Who Me?

The first time I had to speak in front of... Read More

What to Do When an Audience Member Disagrees With You

Some people enjoy drawing attention to themselves by trying to... Read More

How To Start With Public Speaking

I don't know how many books, articles, manuals and scripts... Read More

Top 7 Ways to Succeed in the Business of Speaking

How attractive are you as a speaker? No, your looks,... Read More