Shira Miller Communications

Still following the advice from that "Brady Bunch" episode to picture your audience in their underwear? Then maybe it's time for you to add some zing to your presentation skills by putting your mind over your mouth. We've discovered that successful speaking all starts with the right mental attitude. Here are some tips to help you get in the right frame of mind to wow audiences.

1) Visualize the entire presentation - before it ever happens.
Picture yourself confidently standing before the audience, delivering your message as effectively as possible. Write down as many details as you can - what you're wearing, what the room looks like, the audience's reaction to your content and delivery, etc. Seeing it so vividly in your mind is essential for making it happen.

2) Find your best motivational tactic.
Think about what delights and/or relaxes you. Are you a sports buff? The biggest Madonna fan that ever lived? Is missing your nightly Yoga class a fate worse than death in your book? Once you identify that passion, find a way to make it portable and motivate you right before delivering your speech. When Shira Miller competed at public speaking tournaments in high school a million years ago, she always found a deserted hallway, put on her headphones and listened to Styx (tell me that doesn't make her a bonafide fossil) and Duran Duran cassette tapes. You could do the same, substituting a tape recording of a football radio show, the new Norah Jones CD or even your own voice listing affirmations about what a gifted speaker you are.

3) Have confidence in your messaging and content.
Before you write your speech, clearly define your objectives. Is it to win the big account? Get more money for your budget? Sound so together and amazing that you get promoted? Write the primary goal down on a piece of paper 10-15 times so it is ingrained in your mind. Then construct the speech, starting with an outline that identifies key messages reinforcing your objective. Keep it short and sweet - if you're given 15 to 30 minutes, go closer to the shorter end. They'll thank you for it later. Finally, relate the content back to the audience as much as possible. Your ears always perk up when someone's talking about you, right? Refer to their goals, speak in their acronyms, use funny anecdotes, etc.

4) Conquer your speaking anxiety through relaxation training.
The body can't be anxious and relaxed at the same time. Using Cognitive Therapy 101 techniques, we recommend any of these four exercises to help you relax and speak with ease:

a) Progressive Muscle Relaxation,
In this technique, the major muscle groups are alternately tensed and relaxed. You can start from head to toe or vice versa. For example, if most of your tension is in your shoulders/neck area, start with your toes and work your way up for maximum effectiveness. Break this down into components. For example - your feet, calves, legs, posterior, thighs, stomach, hands, forearms, biceps, shoulders, upper back, neck, jaws, eyes, and forehead. Tense each muscle group for 5 seconds and then relax for 10-15 seconds, tense for another five seconds, relax again, etc.
b) Controlled Breathing,
A case of pre-speech nerves can alter your breathing. This imbalance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the body causes the physical symptoms of anxiety. You need to practice controlled breathing for at least four minutes, because that's how long it takes to restore the balance. Breathing deeply in and out for an equal amount of time is key. Put one hand on your chest and one on your stomach - see how the hand on your stomach moves out as you breathe in. Breathe in to a slow count of four and out to a slow count of four for four minutes right now and see if you become more relaxed. Just do it gently and don't take big gulps of air.
c) Imagery.
Imagery involves visualizing scenes that are relaxing to you. It can be an actual place that you find safe and tranquil, like a family vacation spot, or a scene that you create. Try to incorporate as many senses as possible into this.
d) Distraction.
This technique works because your attention is focused away from the thoughts or physical sensations that contribute to your anxiety. As an exercise, focus on something in the room... a piece of chalk, the doorknob, a lampshade, etc. Absorb every detail of the object and get lost within it. Make a story up to yourself about where it was made, how much it cost, who installed it, etc.

Note: Trying to engage in all of these techniques at once is too much. You might want to give each a try to find out what works the best for you. The key is regular practice so it becomes second nature for you