I just wrapped up work with a client who’s about to give a big presentation. And my final, most important advice was to focus on chill thoughts until he gets onstage. What’s a Chill Thought? A chill thought helps you calm down, avoid anxiety, and—best of all—crowd out the ugly, self-demeaning thoughts that so often Read More
public speaking tips
Do You Struggle with Imposter Syndrome? Join the Club!
Imposter Syndrome is the feeling that you’re not really as smart or capable as other people believe. That you’re constantly fooling them. And that, any second now, you’re going to be found out. Unmasked. Exposed as…an imposter. People who suffer from Imposter Syndrome—and lots of very smart and talented people do—think that their success is Read More
Public Speaking Tip 96: Use the “Rule of 3” To Speak Off the Cuff (and for Everything Else, Too!)
We’d all like to sound (and feel!) cool, calm, collected, and prepared when we’re called on to speak off-the-cuff or to answer an unexpected question. The Public Speaking Rule of 3 is a great technique for accomplishing that goal… and here are three examples of how: 1. Media Interviews: Use the Rule of 3 to Transition to Read More
Public Speaking Tip 48: For Public Speaking Success, Keep the Glass Half Full of Honey, Not Vinegar
You know the expression about seeing the glass as “half empty” versus “half full,” right? “Half full” people tend to be cheerful and optimistic, sometimes to a fault. “Half empty” people, like me, sometimes want to strangle them. How about this one: You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. Leaving aside the Read More
Public Speaking Tip 38: Tell Success Stories, Because If You Don’t Talk About Your Achievements, Who Will?
Lots of people hate to “brag” (talk about) their own accomplishments. But in today’s hyper-stressed, competitive, and under-resourced work environment, is it realistic to think that people will just notice what you’ve accomplished? Probably not. The good news, though, is that there are totally non-obnoxious ways to call attention to your success — and one of Read More