|
| |
| GHUM 1025
Speaking with Confidence
Curriculum for Week 1 |
The Benefits of Public
Speaking:
- Personal:
deriving more happiness from life. When we are more articulate,
and more able to express ourselves effectively to others, we become
happier, and even healthier.
- Professional:
getting further ahead in our jobs and careers. You want to be
the one on whom the boss relies to answer the questions of customers
and clients. Get ahead... speak confidently.
- Advocacy:
giving back to the community and to the world. We have a
responsibility to help our fellow human beings. Lend a voice to
those marginalized and oppressed human beings, our neighbours, who are
without voice.
Alleviation of Anxiety:
- Types of Anxiety:
trait anxiety
(fear that we do not have the abilities needed for public speaking)
& state
anxiety (fear of being in front of people... fear of being in
the situation/place where one speaks).
- Practice...practice,
practice: alleviation of fear through progressive daily and weekly
desensitization.
- Visualization:
practicing in the mind's eye.
- Cognitive Psychology:
positive and negative affirmations... the reprogramming of the
brain's computer.
- Mentors:
who do you admire the most? A famous person, a family member, or
a beloved teacher can inspire us and help us to feel more comfortable
and more safe when we are under stress.
- Breathing:
correct breathing is focused in the diaphragm, a muscular shield in
the lower abdomen. Effective projection of the voice is possible
only through correct diaphragmatic breathing.
- Exercise:
any good public speaker will recommend adopting an exercise regime
that strengthens the diaphragm and improves overall cardiovascular
fitness.
- Meditation:
mindfulness is essential to building the kind of mental focus required
to do extended public speeches. As there are many things to
remember, mental strength and discipline must be gradually built up
and fortified. The practice of some form of meditation is highly
recommended. This will also condition the mind to be comfortable
with the feelings of peace and tranquility.
|
|
