Building Confidence & Communication

1. Building Confidence & Communication Judge not according to the appearance

2. Definitions • Confidence~ • Communication Apprehension ~ • Fear ~

3. Definitions • Confidence ~ feeling when you believe that you can handle a situation successfully • Communication Apprehension ~ fear of public speaking • Fear ~ Biological process that secures the energy that allows you to get a job done that might result in a physical or psychological injury … Fight or Flight

4. More Definitions • Phobia ~ An irrational fear • Performance Anxiety/ Stage Fright ~ Extreme fear of audiences • Perception ~ How a person sees things • Self Esteem ~ Confidence

5. Confidence • You never know what the person sitting next to you is feeling or what kind of life they have • As humans, it is our nature to hide true feelings • What gives you confidence? • You are not born with confidence

6. Communication Apprehension • 80-90% of Americans admit to feeling extremely uncomfortable about any form of public speaking • Fear is normal • Fear activates our emergency energy system so we can cope with danger - Adrenaline, not food, air, & water • Fight or Flight • When fear becomes a PHOBIA

7. Who gets Frightened in front of an Audience? • People fear Speaking Publicly more than they do dying • When do you get nervous? • Interviewing for a job • Meeting a good looking boy/girl for the 1st time • Free throw line in a play-off game • At bat • On a date • Driving test

8. Upset Stomach Flushed face Dizziness Fast heartbeat Dry mouth Need a potty break Shortness of breath Excessive Perspiration Wobbly legs Shaky hands Spit Stutter Feeling light-headed Symptoms of Communication Apprehension

9. Establishing an Accurate Perception • An Accurate Perceptionhelps us to learn more about ourselves and other people • An Inaccurate Perceptioncan cause us to blow things out of proportion, and make a problem seem worse than it really is • An Accurate Perception is the “Main Support Beam” in building speaking confidence

10. Perception of Your Audience • “I know they see my hands shaking.” • “The Audience is WANTING me to mess up!” • Do not see it as life or death...

11. Perception of Your Speech • Share your thoughts with your audience • Not a performance • Do not put on a show • Do not rely on silly humor

12. Perception of Yourself • You are Beautiful & Smart • Insecurity • Do not know what people are hiding • What you say can effect someone for life • 99% of women would change at least one thing about themselves (One HundredPercent American, Daniel Weiss)

13. What if I make a Mistake? • Don’t Panic • Relax & Breathe • Laugh at your mistakes • You are only human

14. The Planks of Confidence • C ontent • O rganization • N otes • F riendliness • I mpression • D edication • E mpathy • N ewness • C onviction • E nthusiasm

15. Examining the Planks of Confidence • Content ~ have something worthwhile to say • Organization ~ have an easy outline to follow • Notes ~ jot down your ideas in a brief, outlined form • Friendliness ~ be congenial • Impression ~ Getting off to a good start/ look good

16. Still Examining... • Dedication ~ practice, practice, practice • Empathy ~ know how it feels to feel that way/common ground • Newness ~ apply some originality • Conviction ~ believe in what you say • Enthusiasm ~ have energy

17. Abraham Lincoln • Abe Lincoln was once asked how he would cut down a tree if he were given 8 hours to get the job done…. • His response: • He would sharpen the blade on his axe for 7 hours - so that he could easily cut the tree down in 1 hour

18. THE END Chapter 2