The Power of Prelection

I've had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Brown at an organizational meeting and she is a dynamic lady. She is absolutely right that in order to be heard and influence others, you must have powerful speaking skills. For most, however, it is easier said than done. The fear of speaking is the #1 fear-over the fear of dying! I'd like to offer a few tips to help those who would love to speak up, but are deathly afraid to do so.

1. Externalize, don't internalize. That means to love the audience more than you love yourself (at least for the time you're presenting to them!). If you're focusing on connecting with and serving others, you can't be focused on your own nervousness.

2. Give yourself permission to succeed. I've worked with thousands of clients and found it amazing how many of them have low self-esteem. If you can't give yourself permission to be fabulous, wonderful, talented, and brilliant, no one else will. You're very special or else you would not be speaking before this group. Give yourself some credit.

3. Preparation, preparation, preparation! Start two weeks before your presentation date to do your writing, learn the material, and do 5-6 dry runs with your visual aids. This will reduce most of your anxiety.

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Marsha Freedman, Express Yourself Communications

Marsha Freedman of FL 10:18PM December 28, 2008