There are many ways to help grow confidence and I want to share one of them with you. I have found public speaking has been a great method for me, but that is not the nub of what I want to share here. It is HOW we engage with whatever we are doing and learning that makes the difference. Let me explain this through an example.
Have you ever have listened to someone and wondered what the heck they are talking about? Or what point they are trying to make?
Speaking in public is a serious fear. Research shows that people are more scared of speaking in front of a crowd than of death. It used to be one of my fears too. I will let you into a secret: it still is.
If you aim to evoke or stimulate a particular response or emotion, do you demonstrate that before you even speak?
Many of us are aware that we have a variety of characteristics, for example, if you have the ability to sit quietly for hours steadily working away in solitude, yet also love taking the limelight in hobbies and social life. Often we never question these different versions of ourselves. Do your friends see different aspects to you that your work colleagues, or your partner know another side of you?
Most of us like to think we are pretty open-minded. Yet when it comes to communicating with others, we are keen to get across our point of view.
We all have ears, but sometimes things go in one and out the other.
"I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Cathy yesterday on her Speaking Out programme at Phonic FM. I was really nervous but Cathy's warm manner and professional approach made the whole thing fun. She had thought carefully about what questions would help me speak confidently about things I am passionate about" Morag Kitt Reflexologist
