Building Confidence

1. Building Confidence Stage Fright Perceptions Confidence

2. Confidence • Defined: the feeling you have when you believe that you are capable of handling a situation successfully. • Not born with; anyone can develop • Result of ongoing preparation and practice.

3. Stage Fright • a.k.a. Communication apprehension • Afraid to speak • Surveys indicate that 80-90 percent of Americans admit feeling extremely uncomfortable about any form of public speaking.

4. What is Fear? • A biological process by which animals, including humans, secure the necessary energy to do a job that really matters—one that might potentially result in physical and/or psychological injury. • FEAR IS NORMAL

5. What is Fear? • In a fearful situation “fight or flight” takes effect in our bodies. • Fight: confront a problem situation head-on • Flight: RUN AWAY! • Next level: Phobia- a persistent, irrational fear

6. Who Gets Frightened in Front of an Audience? • Many people fear giving a speech more than thought of dying. • Jerry Seinfeld: “What this means is that if we are at a funeral, we would rather be the person in the casket—rather than be the one who is supposed to deliver the eulogy!”

7. Who Gets Frightened in Front of an Audience? • Barbara Tannenbaum, senior lecturer in the Theater, Speech, and Dance Dept at Brown University and communications consultant. • Some of her most timid, shy, and apprehensive clients include doctors, bankers, judges, business executives, and politicians. • All “frozen in terror” when it comes to speaking in front of others.

8. Symptoms • Upset stomach • Flushed face • Dizziness • Fast heartbeat • Shortness of breath • Excessive perspiration • Wobbly legs • Usually occur right before we speak and during the first 30 seconds or so after begin speaking.

9. Symptoms- WHY? • Body is being flooded with energy (emergency situation) • Most of us don’t like to be evaluated or judged. • We often don’t think our ideas are worth listening to, we doubt we can say our ideas well, or fear the audience won’t like us while we are speaking. • We’re certain the worst will happen

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11. Ten Components of Self-Confidence • Content • Organization • Notes • Friendliness • Impression • Dedication • Empathy • Newness • Conviction • Enthusiasm

12. Content • Have something worthwhile to say. • Research your topic thoroughly and know your information.

13. Organization • Have some type of an outline that is easy for both you and your audience to follow. • Solid introduction with thesis and a conclusion that summarizes the areas of analysis and strong clincher.

14. Notes • Jot down you ideas in a brief, directed (preferably outlined) form. • A notecard can be a comforting “security net” in case you fear losing your place. • Avoid two greatest problems • Too many words on a single card • Too many notecards • NOT a substitute for preparation! • NOT for you to read to audience • Should provide a memory springboard

15. Friendliness • Be congenial. • Gain confidence by expressing friendliness and see our audience give you positive feedback. • “With friendliness, your audience will forgive just about everything else you do wrong. Without it, you can hit every bull’s-eye in the room and no one will be impressed.” –Roger Ailes, noted author and communication cosultant writing for Management Digest

16. Impression • Getting off to a good start is essential in building confidence. • 55% of what others think of you is determined before you ever open your mouth. • How you are dressed and groomed. • Use common sense and appropriate judgment. • Never allow clothing, hair, makeup, or jewelry get in the way of your message. • “Clothes don’t make the person”, but they can help!

17. Dedication • Practice. Practice. Practice. • Adequate research, catchy intro, dynamic conclusion. • Don’t forget to ORALLY PRACTICE the delivery of your speech. • Must get used to the sound of your own voice.

18. Empathy • Know how it feels to feel that way. • Means a sincere understanding of the feelings, thoughts, and motives of others. • How are your audience members feeling? What’s going on in their lives. • How they react to your speech may be because of something completely unrelated to you.

19. Newness • Apply some originality • Taking a different slant or approaching your topic in own unique way. • Clever anecdote, meaningful quotation, personal story

20. Conviction • Believe in what you say • Mahatma Gandi, “One needs to be slow to form convictions, but once formed they must be defended against the heaviest of odds.” • Know what your principles are, and have the courage to stand up and voice those principles. • If you are confident about the importance of your message, then your audience is more likely to be persuaded.

21. Enthusiasm • Get fired up! • No one wants to listen to an unemotional mannequin, standing lifelessly at the front of the room. • Inspire your audience by being fired up in two ways • intellectually: mind sharp and alert • Physically: body actively involved • Convenient outlet for nervous energy

22. Dealing with nerves • Nervous energy must be controlled • Take a few deep breaths • Let yourself relax • Abraham Lincoln asked how he would cut down a tree if given eight hours to complete the job. He said he would sharpen the axe blade for seven hours—so that he could easily cut down the tree in one hour. In other words, he would spend most of his time preparing so that his job would be easier.