What do you do if your confidence in public speaking has been shaken?

Always remember and keep it close to your heart that: -never will it be that everyone will like what you have ti say. -everything is part of practice and you will get better with practice.

We must understand that it's perfectly okay to get our confidence shaken after a setback. The first step is to accept that it's okay to feel this way. Suppressing or ignoring these feelings can not only lead to anxiety but also make it harder to reflect on it. The key to handling this situation is to not let this experience bring you down but embrace this set back as a learning lesson. Acceptance also helps us introspect the grey areas and develop strategies to avoid similar situations in the future.

Public speaking takes confidence, planning, and passion! When my confidence is shaken I search the audience for some excited eyes to engage with, take a big breath, and refocus my energy on the message I am trying deliver. I tap into the feeling I am trying to inspire in the room.

One thing I've found helpful is extending grace to myself. When you allow yourself space to be honest about how you feel you can then begin carving a path toward a goal you've set. Recovering from a painful experience in the speaking realm is a part of the profession. We live. We feel. We reflect. We learn.

It is okay to experience moments of fear and trepidation about Public Speaking. We are all human and will go through periods of uncertainty and doubt. The "Key Actuator" for me is to focus on topics I am super passionate about. This ensures I will be excited to share my thoughts, perspectives, and insights more easily.

In my experience, reflection is a tool that requires ongoing upskilling. There are resources to support continuous self-assessments as you continue to test out what works for you or what doesn't feel authentic to your public speaking style. When you reflect in an informed way you can assess whether you need more preparation which is something you can work on or simply down to external factors that threw you off in that moment or day. Which is OK. Focus on tangible reasons, learn and try again!

I have seen that neither ‘self blame’ nor opting a ‘defensive behaviour’ is the right way to deal with such situations. You need to understand the reasons objectively, and for doing this you need to openly discuss with it with someone, whom you have experienced/ evidenced to give a sound unbiased assessment…..

I Take a step back and reflect objectively on past speaking experiences. I identify what aspects of my performance may have contributed to my shaken confidence and consider how I can improve upon them in the future. By approaching the situation with a clear and rational mindset, I can learn from my mistakes and grow as a speaker.

Public speaking isn’t an ability that we are born with, but rather a skill that improves with practice like any other skill. Furthermore, like any other skill, being proficient is not an all-or-nothing matter. Following a speech, ask yourself: What things did I do well during this talk that I should be sure to do more of in the future? What are some aspects of presenting that I could improve upon? Where can I go or whom can I consult to learn how to brush up on these skills? Try to look at each public speaking situation as an opportunity to get better, understanding that it’s an ongoing journey.

Get back up on that horse!!! First commit to not giving up. Then reflect about where it went wrong- was it preparation? Did you eat and sleep well? I would suggest starting with the obvious things that you can control and see if you notice where things went sideways. Having someone you trust offer you candid feedback, when you're not full of adrenaline- is also incredibly helpful. But most importantly- do not give up.

You can also ask your coach, friend, mentor, or anyone you trust to give you healthy feedback with this structure. Please let me know two things you love and know I do very well and one area for me to improve. Or, four things you love and I do well and two areas to improve. This way, you can receive constructive, objective, and healthy feedback without feeling down but empowered. So, you will not be terrified anymore of getting feedback.

Ask a trusted friend or audience member to give you feedback about what you could have done better and very importantly, what you did well. Address and practice the pieces of what you need to improve and do more to work to your strengths of what you did well. Most importantly, get another engagement scheduled and prepare, prepare, practice, and prepare - get back into the arena! You're human and you have something very valuable to say!

One thing I always do at those times also is Pray! Meditate on the message that I’m trying to get out there and realize how vital it is and that I am called to this purpose! Keeping my eyes on the prize, which is to help others! Then I shake off the blues and open my heart and the power of the message comes shining through my words!

If we want to improve our public speaking skills, it is crucial to reach out to individuals we trust and respect, people who will give us an honest answer. These trusted colleagues, friends, or mentors have observed our performance from a different vantage point and can offer valuable perspectives. They can shed light on aspects we may have overlooked or underestimated. They might notice nervous habits, unclear delivery, or areas where our message could be strengthened. Remember, feedback is not about personal criticism. It is an opportunity to learn and develop. Accepting feedback with an open mind enables us to make necessary adjustments. By asking for feedback, we demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement in public speaking.

I've found that actively seeking feedback after public speaking engagements and embracing constructive criticism can be profoundly beneficial. While the art of giving and receiving feedback constructively may seem to be fading, it remains an invaluable tool for enhancing public speaking skills.

Own it, challenge it and make it part of your story. We often think public speakers are so confident, perfect and have it all together. By airing your own insecurities and shakiness you are appealing to more people and showcasing that it’s normal to face these things! In turn, you’re inspiring others to face their fears.

- After 20 plus years of public speaking and coaching others, I have found that one of the most important things to understand is your comfort factor. Are you a prepared speaker? Then yes, prepare, rehearse, repeat. - The second most important thing to note is don’t over prepare to the point that it sounds mechanical. Pull back when you feel the most natural. - Finally, if you want to rely less on notes, organize your information in 3 segments. A beginning, a middle and an end. I found it is so much easier to remember that way.

I cannot talk enough about practise before public speaking, there are a mulitude of things that might happen during a public speaking event that you can't control (and they don't usually happen!) but you can control the words and the order of what you plan on saying. Once you get this nailed no matter what happens your mind won't be racing to pick up where you left off causing more stress and challenges and you'll feel more in control. Super important!

The old saying "practice makes perfect" is not quite right. It should really be, "practice makes permanent." Every single time you rehearse your script, you're building a muscle memory. When you get up on stage and those nerves kick in, your body will naturally revert back to however you've practiced it the most times. This is why it's so crucial to not only practice, but to make sure each practice run is delivered with the energy, inflection, gestures, etc., that you want to bring to the stage. Those pieces are so difficult to add later on, but if you start building all of them in from the first moment, you'll develop that muscle memory to the point where you almost can't deliver it incorrectly when it really matters.

Visualization has been a powerful tool in my confidence. Before each presentation, I used to take time to imagine myself delivering my speech successfully. This mental rehearsal has had a profound impact on my mindset, shifting my focus from fear of failure to expectations of success. By visualizing a positive outcome, I've conditioned myself to enter each speaking engagement with confidence, fully believing in my ability to engage and inspire the audience.

In my experience, even before I step on that stage, I know for sure that hundreds of eyes are going to be on me. Immediately I visualize success; I see myself receiving applauds and standing ovations. This means that regardless of how the audience may react to me at first, I will keep going with confidence because my focus is the end…the success of my speech, the appreciation of my audience

I'm not sure this advice is helpful, as when you're speaking, a lot is out of your control. You can give an incredible speech to the wrong audience. Or a disaster could happen in the middle of speaking—a health emergency, a fire drill, or some other interruption. Rather than picturing yourself succeeding, imagine that you feel like people hear and "get" what you intended. You are in conversation with your audience. If you're giving a speech to ask people to donate, did they donate? If you're speaking a funeral, did you help communicate your grief in a way that others could also process theirs? if you're toasting someone at retirement, did they feel honored? Success is the living, breathing dialogue you create with your audience.

Visualizing success is a powerful technique that can help boost my confidence and performance in public speaking. I should take time to imagine myself delivering a successful speech with confidence and poise. By visualizing positive outcomes, I can instil belief in my abilities and approach speaking engagements with a newfound sense of assurance.

One thing I find helpful is always having talking points that way, you know how your speech is going to flow and incase of anything u can always refer to them.

Someone told me that any presentation has three components: 1. The practice one, 2. The actual one, and 3. The presentation you give to yourself later in your car - the one that goes great - the way the actual one should have gone. This is tongue-in-cheek but reflects a mindset that the actual event will not be your best effort. That pressure or lack of preparation will produce a mediocre result. Instead, adequate advance preparation is key, combined with visualization, basically seeing yourself delivering that great presentation. Similar to an Olympic athlete mentally practicing that perfect downhill ski run by visualizing every inch of the course and each body movement and curve while traversing the course mentally. Try it!

You’ll always counter challenges as a public speaker no matter how used are you to it. Two things will make you excel and deliver your message properly (1) being fully prepared, updated about the markets and trends; (2) is being real and connecting your heart to your brain, your audience will feel how genuine you are, and will love it.

In the recovery from three brain surgeries in the winter of 21/22 I was mentored by a physical therapist that specializes in vestibular conditions at Burke Rehabilitation Hospital. Having been hospitalized for around 75 days and having lost around 100 lbs.my balance was still off when I returned home. Over the next around 18 months I learned how to stand on my own again, regain my ability to walk and drive with those physical things my cognitive skills returned. However, my vestibular condition prevented me from looking at a keyboard or notes and speaking . I was inspired to learn that if I organized my thoughts and took them from my brain to store my heart my speaking skills would return. And they have. I have eternal Gratitude!

Public speaking like many other journeys, requires "infinite mindset". What does it mean? The foundation of success starts with the mindset. Acknowledging you are at point A, and every next opportunity you will move the needle. You need to have the continuous will and wish "to learn and to get better", collect feedback, insights, thrive to be at your best and take the action it deserves. Every time I speak, I ask feedback, watch myself, analyze what could I've done better? Then practice, practice, practice. In front of the mirror, on my own, the pitch, tonality, expressions and try to bring it to a point where you are completely natural. There will always be challenges, it's all fine! Just embrace them and do what it takes to get better.

So here’s the thing; there’s nobody who can pivot away from a challenge. We must all face them regardless of finances, profession or status. When speaking publicly, there is no “Oh I messed up, let me edit that and start over.” Nope! Whether you trip over your words, forget a line or even the whole speech because you’re nervous, people are watching. Give them a show! That’s what makes us human. The winner keeps going despite the hiccups. Challenges builds up confidence, experience and understanding to help someone else overcome. The kicker is what you choose to do when that challenge hits. Have fun, make mistakes and keep speaking ☺️

I have found: 1. That active Participation in Toastmasters---offering a minimum of 87 different Speaches...in different formats...and different Venues...inclusive of Comedy Club Sketches...Poetry Readings...Dramatic Speaches...etc. build critical confidence in : A. The assessment of character and capacities (starting with One's own character and capacity); and B. Development of #ListeningSkills which are critically significant component of Leadership...both in the Selection Process and in the all-important Management Phase that follows!

I use pictures of my kids on the podium to glance at, and it instantly grounds me. I have generalized anxiety disorder so my response to public speaking stress is not only mental but visceral. However, I can't avoid public speaking in my line of work. Medication and therapy have helped with Mt anxiety, tremendously. Yet, there are times I can't shake the jitters of public speaking. Knowing I am a visual person helps in this respect. I started keeping pics of my kids on the podium w my notes. Whenever my nerves get the best of me, I glance at the pics of my three girls, I take a split second to take a deep breath, and I proceed w more confidence than before. It truly helps me and I highly suggest it to anyone struggling in this area.

Once I was going thru some personal stuff before recording a TEDx talk. On stage I froze and forgot. I stepped back. Took a deep breath. Told myself such moments happen and it cannot and will not define who I am. I went back on stage and gave one of the best talks. We cannot seek validation and motivation outside. It has to come from within. A moment can define us in negative or positive light, but ultimately it is our own choice.

When you stumble, make it part of the dance. I was speaking to 1,000 participants at an international conference. As I approached the podium, I tripped over the microphone cord (not wireless at the time). The audience gasped in horror and squirmed uneasily. Unhurt, I righted myself, took the 🎤 mic, smiled, and quipped laughing, “And now for my next act…” The relieved listeners laughed with me and I presented. Humor saved the day!

The best advice I give for my public speaking class is this: your audience is rooting for you. They want you to succeed. They are giving you their time and attention, and they fully support you. For your next speech remember that you have a room of audience supporting you.

I used to get imposter syndrome when speaking, especially when on a program with more well-known speakers who were better qualified than me. The fix is to stop thinking you are putting yourself up as an equivalent to them, and ask yourself why you were invited to speak - what is it you know that the audience would like to hear. Once you look at your abilities from a third-person perspective, you realise that you do have something to add that perhaps the professors don’t, and that is why the organisers invited you.