So what's your mindset around public speaking?
Last night I listened in on a call on mindset by PJ McClure, The Mindset Maven. Despite all of my coaching training, I loved the way PJ broke down the mindset issues that result in procrastination. So many of my new clients don't do well their public speaking opportunities because they don't prepare. In other words, they seriously procrastinate!
Of course, in coaching, we discuss the causes behind their procrastination, the source of their apprehension and so on. But I think on my next client call, I'm going to ask them to do some exercises Mindset Maven style.
If you're struggling with procrastination around public speaking, try asking yourself the following questions:
1) Vision. What do your goals around public speaking actually look like? Develop a clear vision of you having achieved your goal already. Don't just write it down, but describe the scene. Do you see yourself onstage as another Tony Robbins?
2) Purpose. What's the purpose underlying your goal? Do you have a strong purpose for pursuing public speaking? Get very clear on this. You'll need that clarity of vision and purpose to get you through the tough spots you'll experience as you develop your speaking skills.
3) Belief. Do you truly believe that you're capable of achieving your vision with public speaking? A lot of us, when we're really honest with ourselves, get stuck here. Explore this carefully with the following exercise, as described by PJ:
a. Break down your end goal or vision into as many small consecutive steps as possible.
b. Start with step one, and ask yourself, "Do I believe I can do this?" If your answer is a resounding "YES!" move on to the next step and ask the same question.
c. If you reach a step where you're not able to answer the belief question with that resounding, immediate "YES," then stop there. Forget about the rest of the steps to the end goal. Put those away temporarily, out of mind and out of sight. Devote yourself to taking action on the steps you truly believe you can easily complete.
d. Once you've achieved those steps, then pull out the completed list. How challenging do the rest of the steps to your vision look to you now? What's your belief on the next step? There's a good chance that it looks a lot easier to achieve.
Pretty good idea, huh? In educational terms, we call this a task analysis. Break it down into smaller, less intimidating steps. Turn climbing Mt. Everest into a hiking series of small rolling hills!
Many thanks again to PJ McClure, The Mindset Maven, for his refreshing perspective and clear, concise approach to creating a healthy mindset.
Lily Iatridis of Fearless Delivery, has a proven track record and knows the key elements in effective and engaging presentation. Her expertise is in supporting professionals to get their message expressed clearly to deliver the biggest results in their live and online presentations. Secrets and strategies such as "how-to" shortcuts, personalized instruction and even packaging the presentation are just some of the skill sets that Lily brings to her audience to create a fearless and effective delivery.
If you've ever been nervous in front of an audience, please download Lily's free ebook, "5 Steps to Neutralize Difficult Audience Members– Without A Power Struggle!" In this ebook, Lily shares simple strategies that will put your mind at ease, arm you with useful strategies, and entertain you with some stories of her own bumps along the path to public speaking success.
Related posts:
