1. Chickadee on Improving Confidence While Speaking
Confidence is a key factor most especially when it comes to speaking. Talking
and conversations are intertwined in our daily lives. It could be casual and
informal as when chatting with a friend or asking directions from a stranger. On
the other hand it could also be formal as when it comes to office dealings, class
presentations, oral exams and job interviews. How does one become confident
while speaking then? Learn some tricks to pile up your sleeves from Chickadee
Adventure’s experts.
Fake the funk. – If you feel otherwise then act like it anyway. Many people may
look like they are confident but deep inside their knees are shaking, figuratively
that is. Thinking and acting like it will eventually make you believe that you are.
The human brain can be made to
believe things so why not this?
There’s no harm in trying either.
Breathe slowly. – If you feel that
your mouth is too dry, you’ve
swallowed your tongue, your
voice is about to crack and your
oxygen is getting caught up, take
a pause and breathe slowly.
Breathing exercises are good for a
reason. When you’re nervous you
tend to make quick and less
inhales and lengthy exhales which
is bad for your body. You need the oxygen for your brain to work so breathe.
Think positive. – Nothing beats optimism. If you think positive about your
speaking gig or activity then always keep an optimistic mind and beat out
negativity. This will make you feel more comfortable, more self assured and
therefore more confident.
Maintain your posture. – Either sitting down or standing up, see to it that your
back is straight, your face up and your posture maintained. Not only will it make
your blood circulation better, it will also make you look confident. A good and
healthy amount of eye contact, facial expressions and hand gestures will also
work too.
2. Smile with your lips and eyes. – You have to look and feel vibrant, comfortable
and assured. One way to showcase this is to smile not only with your lips but also
with your eyes. Such is also a positive gesture towards an audience or the
person/s you are speaking to or conversing with.
Prepare for it. – Whatever you have to use your speaking skills for, be sure to
make ample preparation for it especially if they pertain to activities like a school
report, a thesis presentation, a board meeting, a job interview, an oral
examination and the like.
Hopefully the above tips from Chickadee adventure helped. Good luck and
don’t forget to hold your head up high!