If you want to make it in this world and be successful in your career, you are going to need to learn how to speak in public.
Let’s face it, most of us would rather die than get up on stage in front of a bunch of strangers to give a speech or presentation. But the fact is that if you want to make it in this world and be successful in your career, you are going to need to learn how to speak in public.
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We often hear that during a speech, it is not so much the text and the words used that have the most impact on the audience. I think you’ve probably seen statistics on communication that suggest communication is 70% non-verbal language and 30% verbal language. Whatever the actual statistics are on the impact of your speech, there is something that will help you with your public speaking skills: motivation.
If you manage to boost your motivation before giving a presentation, you can be sure to appear more charismatic and convincing in front of the audience. On the one hand, you will be able to have a more dynamic body language (hand, arm, body) which will reflect your enthusiasm. And on the other, good intonation, a rhythmic speech, and a lexical field unconsciously influenced by your internal motivation.
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This is why you need to learn to become more motivated the next time you speak in public. Here are three actions that you should use that I learned from John Rogan from Motivational Speakers. The goal is not just to read this article and have new knowledge, but rather to apply the methods and to have results.
Self-talk to boost inner motivation
Self-talk comes down to the different actions you can take to trick your own brain. And for that, the first thing you can do, is to make yourself believe that you are extremely motivated to make this speech and happy to speak in front of a congregation or any audience.
But to condition yourself mentally, it is recommended that you use positive affirmations. These powerful words can help prepare you mentally the day before or a few minutes before your speech. They can take many forms and will be personalized to you and your needs. Here is a sample list from which you can draw some elements:
- I will succeed in my speech as a great orator!
- I will answer questions from the audience with ease and confidence!
- I will impress the audience and leave a trace of my speech in their memories!
- I am confident in my preparation, I have prepared enough!
- My goal is to make them have a good time, I will succeed in making them laugh!
- I have already made this same speech in the past, I will do it again, but better!
- I am the centerpiece of the room, I have the floor, I must give myself 200%!
Visualization
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Another method that you can link to that positive affirmations is the power of visualization. It will be a question of setting up this second technique in the evening, before going to bed, the day before your speech. By imagining a positive situation in as much detail as possible, you will unconsciously experience the scene for the first time.
On D-Day, you will be even more motivated to do as in your vision, if not to surpass yourself even more. In all cases, the goal is to send your brain as many positive signals as possible which will condition it for your speaking.
Understand Your Objective
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Generally speaking, what do you have to gain from doing this presentation? What is your objective or goal? According to Dan Smith of Keynote Speakers, it is important to have a clear understanding of what you aim to accomplish. You may be preparing a pitch that will aim to convince your audience. Or, you are in front of the audience to entertain them, to give them a good time.
Your speech has inevitably an interest, so start by finding it. Once you find it, what are your personal goals related to this event? Increase your credibility, introduce yourself to the general public, convince, sell, take action … There may be many reasons, but nothing like knowing them to be able to be even more motivated to speak up. It is only when you have your personal goal clearly in front of you that your motivation can increase.
Think Of Your Audience
But don’t just think of yourself, empathize with the audience as well. For example, a person who creates a blog or a YouTube channel thinks above all about his audience rather than himself. And it is with this mentality that the public can be a source of motivation for you. Positive feedback, compliments, thanks, are elements that will become essential for you. And by putting others ahead of your own interests, you can be sure the audience will notice. In communication, there is nothing better than a person who puts themselves at your service and talks to you about what interests you, rather than an individual who talks about subjects so you are disinterested.
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Start Strong
The introduction, if there is a moment that should not be overlooked, it is your first impression in front of the audience. This is also the moment that will determine your first impression on you, vis-à-vis the audience present, the size of the room, and other parameters. An introduction spoiled by a technical problem is likely to undermine your confidence and motivation. If I recommend that you start strong, it is, therefore, to capture the attention of your audience quickly, but especially so that you stay in good condition.
Confidence & Charisma
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Finally, you should also know that a speaker who begins with power, strength and charisma his speech, will have more chance of being perceived by the public as even more motivated than he really is.
You now know all the actions that can allow you to have a high level of motivation before speaking. Positive affirmations, visualization, personal interests and for the public, must be defined beforehand. Then hit hard from the first moments of your speaking to stay in a high level of motivation and confidence. This will also make you appear more confident than you really can be.
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