Overcoming Nervousness and Speaking with More Passion
Olivia Mitchell always has something interesting, helpful, and insight to say in her blog — http://www.speakingaboutpresenting.com/blog/.
She often takes the same approach I do when it comes to coaching other speakers or, for that matter when it comes to my own speaking. Recently she wrote:
I believe in the inside-out method of presenting. Rather than thinking about what I’m doing on the outside eg: a specific gesture or movement, I choose what’s going on inside - my state of mind. My state of mind is the biggest influence on how I come across.
And then she offered “8 states of mind that will make you a more compelling presenter.” They are about overcoming nervousness and speaking with more enthusiasm and passion. The 8 states of mind are:
- Speak as if you’re in your seat.
- Throw yourself forward.
- I’m here to help you.
- Animated dinner conversation
- Carefree
- Your audience is eager for every word.
- You’re the host/hostess at your party.
- Be over the top.
Instead of summing up what she says about every point, I’ll suggest you go directly to her page and read it for yourself. I promise you you’ll find it helpful.
April 27th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
I notice that just about all these states have mind have one ubber-theme — “take your focus off yourself, and focus instead on the audience.” This aligns with my experience of speaking and performing. Whenever I start to get nervous before a presentation, I think, “They are here for some reason that has nothing to do with me. The message is the focus. I’m just the delivery agent. How can I be the best delivery agent?” I put all my mental focus on the process of being effective. “If they are indifferent to me but love the message and buy the project, I’ll have done my job.”
I like to remember that people in the audience aren’t thinking about me, the presenter. They’re thinking about themselves. (”Do I look okay? Who else is here? Should I turn off my iPhone? This place is stuffy.”) If what I have wins their attention and provides them something of value, I’ll be okay.
April 28th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
DrProcter,
Spoken like a masterful presenter.
Part of growing up — a painful part — is learning that we are not the center of the universe. We are not the center of other people’s attention. Other people — even doting parents and adoring grandparents — have their own lives, their own concerns, their own self-preoccupation. But realizing that all creation doesn’t revolve around us is also liberating; it frees me from (some of) our self-consciousness and perfectionism.
The state of mind that works best for me is that of service. I have no problem advocating a position, policy, or initiative even if it is unpopular as long as I believe it serves what is good and true in my audience. I need to keep reminding myself “it’s not about me.”
I don’t want people commenting on my delivery, my style, or my performance. I want them discussing the idea I’m presenting or acting on the initiative I’m proposing.
That said, it doesn’t hurt my ego to hear people say, “you were great!”