Chapter 2: Building your Confidence

2Building Your Confidence

Building Your Confidence

Why are people scared to speak in public?

What scares you the most about speaking in public?

Speech Anxiety

The fear of speaking in front of an audience

What Causes Speech Anxiety?

Temperament Response to uncertainty

• Uncertainty reduction theory

The Uncertainties of Public Speaking

Your role as a speaker Technology What should I do? Will the technology work?

Your speaking ability Evaluation

What am I able to do? What impression will I make?

Your ideas

How well do I know my topic?

The audience’s response

How will others react?

The setting

How familiar/unfamiliar is the space?

Strategies for Building Your Confidence

Visualization Relabeling Relaxation

• Diaphragmatic breathing• Meditation breathing• Tension-release breathing

Visualization, Relabeling, & Relaxation

Building Your Confidence Before the Day of Your Speech

Start planning and preparing your speech early

Choose a topic you care about Become an expert on your topic Research your audience Practice your speech Know your introduction and conclusion

well

Building Your Confidence on the Day of Your Speech

Before presenting your speech• Keep all your notes and materials organized• Arrive early• Take calming breaths• Warm up your voice• Make sure all technical aspects of your

speech are ready to go• Concentrate on the other speakers

Building Your Confidence on the Day of Your Speech Cont.

During your speech• Display a confident attitude• Expect to experience some anxiety• Turn your anxiety into productive energy• Avoid overanalyzing your anxiety• Never comment on your speech anxiety • Focus on your audience, not yourself• Pay attention to audience feedback• Make no apologies or excuses

Building Your Confidence on the Day of Your Speech Cont.

After you’ve presented your speech• Listen carefully to audience members’

questions• Recognize that speech anxiety can occur

even after you finish your speech• Reinforce your confidence• Identify useful strategies for managing speech

anxiety• Develop a plan for managing anxiety to use in

future speaking situations

Building Your Confidence Table

Relevant Websites

What causes some to panic? Toastmasters International