Movement can be extremely persuasive. If you have two options and you would like people to err in favour of one of these choices, you can use movement to achieve this.

Let's say, you're offering one-to-one tuition versus a group class, you could step to the left when talking about the one-to-one tuition and then to the right when talking about the group tuition. When it comes to talking about the final decision, if you wanted people to vote for the one-to-one tuition without appearing to take sides, you would step to the left again (yes; that's the side you stood on when originally talking about one-to-one tuition). You are essentially, tapping into your audience's sub-conscious when you do this and ultimately, you'll affect their decision... So definitely one to remember when you’re presenting two options to someone and you want them to think they've made the decision themselves!

The power of the mind is phenomenal. If you tell yourself enough times that something is going to be awful, more often than not, it will be- especially when it comes to personal performance.

World leading athletes visualise themselves running across the finish line and often play out the entirety of a match in their mind before they even set foot on the pitch or court. You can do the same with your speech. You can train your mind by using positive self talk. Tell yourself how excited you are and how great you're going to be. Visualise the audience congratulating you and singing your praise. When you stand up there, stand tall and proud and deliver the speech like the expert speaker you are- your ability is dependent on the strength of your mind. If you tell yourself you're a confident speaker enough times, this is what you will become.

OK, if this sounds like lying to yourself, start by telling yourself that you can LEARN to be great. This is where most of my students start. After a few lessons, they soon realise that they're a few steps closer to their goal.

We all have our weaknesses when it comes to our spoken dialogue, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Just because you seem to have a deeply engrained need to say 'um' in between every idea, it doesn't mean you can't overcome this and become a truly wonderful speaker. All you need to do is make a conscious effort to correct yourself and monitor this behaviour, whatever it may be. Once you are aware of your behaviour, you are one step closer to correcting it.

A friend recently asked me whether there was anything she could do to improve her speech... I made the mistake of telling her exactly what I thought- I would advise against working with friends and family, at all costs- She was totally in denial and offended that I should be so openly critical... A week or so later, she had caught herself on camera whilst filming a young relative. She noticed all the things I had pointed out to her and immediately gave me a call to ask for the help I had offered her.

Unfortunately, we all have our foibles, and we could all do with help, but before we get to this stage the best thing we can do is film ourselves and critically analyse our spoken behaviour. Once we've become aware of any weaknesses, we are one step closer to correcting them.

It amazes me when I watch how beautifully people can speak in a one-to-one situation and how they often crumble to pieces when they stand up in front of a small group.

Actors do a brilliant job of playing the introvert or the loud comic... You can do the same when you stand up for a public speaking engagement. Stand like someone who is shy and you will appear so- stand like someone who is powerful and persuasive and you will fill the role accordingly and boost your confidence no end.

Never start with an apology: Sorry, I’m a little under prepared... Start as you mean to go on; with authority and vocal clarity. Make sure that your voice is as strong as your body language. Don't be afraid to pause. When you're up there you may be tempted to fill the silences with 'and, err, or ummm', but I can assure you, a deep breath and a strong pause is much more effective. People will believe you are as strong and confident as you appear to be.

In the past I’ve been a little anxious when I’ve turned up less than suitably prepared, but I never let my audience know this. I chat to everyone before the meeting begins and PRETEND to be as calm and collected as ever- it always works- this is an example of the beautiful power of the mind. The more you tell yourself 'I’m so nervous, I’m so nervous, I’m so very nervous, I’m so NERVOUS!' The more nervous you inevitably will feel. On the other hand if you focus on appearing as cool as a cucumber and focus your attention on the other people in the room, you will feel much calmer.

If someone asked you- 'Would you rather sit in a corner and focus your attention on how nervous and uncomfortable you feel or would you rather stand up, work the room and make other people feel more comfortable?' - What would you choose?

The secret of a powerful public speaker is to appear as if you haven't been trained.

When an actor performs to an audience, there is a certain divide between the two parties. Paradoxically, when a speaker stands up in front of an audience, their job is to strike rapport and connect in a way not unlike a one-to-one conversation. The greater the connection between speaker and audience, the greater the speech appears from the perspective of the listeners.

I am often asked how best to achieve this. Some lucky people manage to do it naturally when public speaking without any fore thought. Unfortunately, I have never been amongst these lucky few. I have had years of training as an actor, so my natural inclination has always been to create this magical divide between the audience and myself. To connect with the audience would be to break the spell!

So, we have established that public speaking is all about breaking the spell. I do this in a variety of ways.

Eye contact: Connect with individuals in the audience for 5- 10 seconds at a time. Any less looks a little shifty and any longer can make the recipient of your gaze feel nervous.

Direct interaction with the audience: This can be in the form of 'raise your hand if' moments or asides to specific members of the audience. It can also be done more subtly by asking rhetorical questions:

• Raise your hand if you check your emails over the weekend?
• I know I’ve received one or two from certain people
• Ask yourself whether you make enough time for yourself each week?

You may even decide to ask questions, which you then answer yourself:

• You may ask me what proof I have for this claim. Well, here it is...

Emotional Connection: Another way to appear natural is to really feel what you’re saying. If your words are heart felt they carry the power of sincerity.

Vocals: Your voice shouldn't be too different from how it is in a normal conversation. It just needs to be a little louder (remember the old lady at the back). So, make sure you project your voice.

Voice projection requires strong breathing, but I will save this lesson for another day!

Do you ever wonder what your emotions signify?

Would you like to understand yourself better?

Would you like to have more control over your emotions?


I've developed a tool for all of you who just answered YES to one or more of the above questions.

I do, what I call, a Personal Inventory almost every day. I'd like to take you through some steps, so that you can do this for yourself at home.

Why should you do this?

Your body can be compared to a finely tuned machine- every twinge you feel in your body signifies something. When you feel hungry what is your body saying to you? What does this incite you to do? Why is it that when you feel sad, you continue to feel sad? Emotions aren't intended to be acted out; they are your body’s way of pointing you in a new direction. Your emotional sensitivities are one of the greatest blessings. Without them, you would have no direction in your life.

All negative emotions can be identified as fear. Fear has no power in itself. It is only powerful when it is ignored. Indeed, the more you ignore it, the stronger the emotion becomes. By confronting it head on and interpreting the message your body, mind and soul are sending you, you can find peace of mind and an increased sense of self esteem.

 
Here's how to interpret your emotions when your heart is feeling heavy or you feel in some way held back:

Ask yourself the following questions. Write down the first things that come into your head, as they are usually the most accurate.

1. How do I feel? *

2. What does this mean?

3. Is there anything I can do to change this?

* If you have listed more than one emotion in response to question 1, repeat steps 2 and 3 until you have considered every emotion listed.

4. Do I have any limiting beliefs here? **

** A limiting belief is a belief which conflicts with your desired result. As long as you have limiting beliefs, you can not fulfil your desires. So, if you feel frustrated and held back, this may well be the reason.

In response to limiting beliefs:

5. Write down your limiting belief- for example: 'I don't have the knowledge or experience to be successful' and then write down a counter argument in the positive 'I have all the knowledge and experience I need to be successful'. Write this positive thinking down 10 times.

6. Continue to write down this positive statement 10 times each evening before you go to sleep and 10 times each morning after waking up. Do this for 21 days and see how your world transforms around you.

 

Please do email me with your results, as I always love to hear about your successes!

Do you ever wonder what your emotions signify?

Would you like to understand yourself better?

Would you like to have more control over your emotions?


I've developed a great tool for all of you who just answered YES to one or more of the above questions.

I do, what I call, a Personal Inventory almost every day. I'd like to take you through some steps, so that you can do this for yourself at home.

Why should you do this?

Your body can be compared to a finely tuned machine- every twinge you feel in your body signifies something. When you feel hungry what is your body saying to you? What does this incite you to do? Why is it that when you feel sad, you continue to feel sad? Emotions aren't intended to be acted out; they are your body’s way of pointing you in a new direction. Your emotional sensitivities are one of the greatest blessings. Without them, you would have no direction in your life.

All negative emotions can be identified as fear. Fear has no power in itself. It is only powerful when it is ignored. Indeed, the more you ignore it, the stronger the emotion becomes. By confronting it head on and interpreting the message your body, mind and soul are sending you, you can find peace of mind and an increased sense of self- esteem.

 
Here's how to interpret your emotions when your heart is feeling heavy or you feel in some way held back:

Ask yourself the following questions. Write down the first things that come into your head, as they are usually the most accurate.

1. How do I feel? *

2. What does this mean?

3. Is there anything I can do to change this?

* If you have listed more than one emotion in response to question 1, repeat steps 2 and 3 until you have considered every emotion listed.

4. Do I have any limiting beliefs here? **

** A limiting belief is a belief which conflicts with your desired result. As long as you have limiting beliefs, your desires will never fully materialise. So, if you feel frustrated and held back, this may well be the reason.

In response to limiting beliefs:

5. Write down your limiting belief- for example: 'I don't have the knowledge or experience to be successful' and then write down a counter argument in the positive 'I have all the knowledge and experience I need to be successful'. Write this down 10 times.

6. Continue to write down this positive statement 10 times each evening before you go to sleep and 10 times each morning after waking up. Do this for 21 days and see how your world transforms around you.

When done regularly, this tool can boost your self confidence and help you to feel more at peace.

Please do email me with your results, as i always love to hear about your successes!