When it comes to public speaking, many of us are our own worst critics. Audiences generally accept and appreciate our best efforts, but we impose perfectionist thoughts and standards that make us feel like it’s not OK to just be ourselves when we speak.
These posts, from 100 Top Public Speaking Tips, will help you battle perfectionist tendencies, and embrace your own, authentic public speaking style.
Public Speaking Tip 1: Lose that Scorecard in Your Mind
Don’t be a public speaking perfectionist. It’ll trip you up — plus, there’s no such thing as perfection! Lose that scorecard.
Public Speaking Tip 5: Be Yourself
No one else can tell your story, or speak from your heart, as you can. That’s why the most powerful public speaking always comes from people who are being themselves. Be you!
Public Speaking Tip 6: You WILL Make Mistakes
Every public speaker makes mistakes! If you hate that reality (and even if you don’t), here are some strategies to quickly recover from the inevitable imperfections. Get ready to recover.
Public Speaking Tip 18: Your Accent Doesn’t Matter — Speaking Clearly, Does!
Many people who come to the U.S. from other countries are concerned that their accent makes them hard to understand. But if you organize your thoughts, speak slowly and clearly, and leave pauses so that people can absorb one idea before hearing the next, listeners will almost always understand you. Accents are fine.
Public Speaking Tip 30: Want to Be a Great Public Speaker? It’s a Process
Becoming a great public speaker is a process; there will always be things you can improve. So don’t think about how long it’s going to take. Instead, jump in. Start the clock!
Public Speaking Tip 64: Don’t Listen to the Self-Critical Voice in Your Head
Is there a nasty little voice in your head that loves to criticize your public speaking skills? Here’s how to beat the NLV. Don’t listen!
Public Speaking Tip 90: Cultivate the Greatest Public Speaking Skill of All, Self-Acceptance
You can’t be a perfect public speaker (there is no such thing), but if you cultivate self-acceptance, you can be a great one. Cultivate self-acceptance.
