How to Deliver a Speech with Confidence

journaliz | February 13, 2012 | Comments (0)

How to Deliver a Speech with Confidence

To be able to deliver a speech with confidence, you need to do a bunch of things.

1. Rehearse and Practice. The mere fact that you have given your self ample amount of time in practicing and rehearsing your speech will add up to your level of confidence in an instant. The mind set that you have put enough effort in preparing for your public speaking assignment will likewise make you more confident than impulsively jumping on the stage unprepared or “under-prepared.”

2. Like your speech. Basically, if you do not “like” the words or messages you will utter or give, you will not be enthusiastic in delivering your speech, and therefore sound less confident. If possible “love” your speech, and the confidence will naturally radiate from you.

3. Look at a friendly face. When you feel very low of yourself to successfully carry out a public speaking task, search for a friendly or smiling face amidst the audience and you will feel a boost of confidence like magic!

This actually happened to me when I was presenting my senior thesis paper in front of my college professors and dean. I was not that confident about my self and about my thesis. I started out very shy and reserved. I wanted to deliver a speech with confidence but I just felt so intimidated and insecure because I am in front of big-names in my college, and that my classmates’ presentations were very good.

At the middle of my presentation, I had a quick look at my dean who surprisingly gave a very friendly smile and a nodding head. Just like magic, my confidence boosted! All the while I thought I was doing a terrible job but that simple smile and calm look assured me that I am actually doing fine. That helped me go on with my presentation and finish with confidence.

4. Save enough confidence before speaking. Confidence either levels up or down. You could have it but it may not be enough; or have it and go way beyond the line. “Just enough” self confidence is achieved through equally enough time and enough work and effort. So, elicit enough of it from within you and maintain it until you finish your speech. Remember, you could lose that confidence in an instant by discouragement around you and negative thinking lingering in your head. Try to numb and rid your self of those negative vibes.

5. Expect that “you ca not please everyone.” When you expect something quite unfeasible like generalizing, you might end up disappointed which could automatically lower down your self-confidence.Success does not necessarily mean making a difference to everyone.

I remember “The Star Fish Story” by Loren Eiseley:

Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.

One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.

As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.

He came closer still and called out ‘Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?’

The young man paused, looked up, and replied ‘Throwing starfish into the ocean.’

‘I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?’ asked the somewhat startled wise man.

To this, the young man replied, ‘The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them in, they’ll die.’

Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, ‘But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can’t possibly make a difference!’

At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, ‘It made a difference for that one.’