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How To Transform Yourself From A Shy Person

.....To A Confident Public Speaker

By Lara Livingstone Published 2 years ago 7 min read
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It may seem like the most unlikely outcome for you right now as you read this article, but you can overcome your fear and shyness of public speaking by building your confidence slowly over time through small steps and practice.

Don't be afraid to fail: you will make mistakes, but it's just a chance for you to learn from them and improve. Start by patting yourself on the back, for having the balls to confront your fear of public speaking.

Here are some tips that will help you become more confident:

Listen to motivational speeches and talk shows to build your confidence and vocabulary.

If you're shy, chances are that you're not the most confident when it comes to public speaking. But there's a way to overcome this hurdle: by listening.

That's right—by listening!

Listening to people who are good at public speaking and giving presentations will help you learn about what makes them so successful in their careers. It can also help you build up your confidence and vocabulary, which will make it easier for you when it comes time for your own speech or presentation.

So how do we listen? Well, luckily there are plenty of options out there! For example, I like listening to motivational speeches on YouTube because they're usually short enough to keep me engaged.

By that I mean, so that I can easily sit through them without getting bored or tired of hearing someone talk at me all day long (which is usually how my brain feels after sitting through an hour-long lecture).

Video confidence tips

You might also want to try listening/watching similar types of videos like TED Talks or inspirational clips from successful people like Oprah Winfrey; these videos have been shown time again as being effective tools for improving self-esteem and increasing confidence levels among viewers.

Learn the techniques of using your diaphragm when you speak, such as deep breathing.

Learning to breathe properly when you speak is one of the most important skills that a speaker can master. Not only does deep breathing help you relax and focus on what you are saying, it also helps you project your voice more effectively.

The next time you find yourself feeling nervous in front of an audience, take a moment to breathe deeply; this will help calm your nerves as well as improve the quality of your voice.

Embrace Your Chest Voice

If you want your voice to project and be heard, you need to work on your "chest voice."

Your chest voice is the loudest part of your voice, but it can also sound more confident. In order for this to happen though, you need to practice using it often enough that when you're speaking in public or at a meeting where people are paying attention, you'll be able to use it without thinking twice about it.

Keep a journal of what you've learned and how you're feeling.

Keeping a journal of your thoughts and feelings is a great way to help you understand yourself better. It can also be helpful for clarifying what you want to say, or remembering what you have learned about yourself.

You don't even need to write every day, just whenever feels right for you. The important thing is that it's something that works for your life and schedule - which means that when we're done here today, I want you to make sure that this idea goes into your "goal" folder on your phone so that it doesn't get lost in the shuffle!

Volunteer to give a speech or presentation in front of your coworkers or peers.

I guess the most obvious way to practice is to volunteer to give a speech or presentation in front of your coworkers or peers. Be prepared, practice non-stop and don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it.

Remember: it's not about how many times you fall down, but how many times you get up again! Be confident and believe in yourself!

Practice positive self-talk and affirmations until they become second nature to you.

I don’t know what it is about the words “I am good enough, I am smart enough, and doggone it people like me” but when I hear them said out loud by someone else I feel like I can conquer the world.

You know what, that feeling of empowerment doesn’t just happen when you say the words yourself though. You have to practice positive self-talk and affirmations until they become second nature to you so that when you are in a situation where you need it most.

If you can make them such a part of yourself, s0 those words and thoughts, replace your fear of freezing up on stage.

More confidence boosting tips here

The easiest way to start practicing this new habit is by writing down some empowering statements on paper and then reading them aloud every morning (or whenever) for five minutes until they become habitual thoughts running through your head without even trying at all times throughout your day!

Pay It Forward - How Can You Help Others Through Your Words

If you are a shy person, or if you have been labeled as someone who is quiet, then it's likely that people who know you might see you as someone who is not confident in their own skin. However, this could not be further from the truth!

You may be an introvert and prefer to spend time alone than with others but that doesn't mean there isn't anything to say or that you don't have something important to contribute when speaking with others.

The key is understanding how to effectively communicate your message so others can understand what it is that you want them to do or think about.

This means focusing on how your words can help others achieve their goals and improve their lives rather than focusing on yourself (or worse yet: worrying about what other people will think of what comes out of your mouth).

Whenever you have an opportunity to speak up in public, take it! The more opportunities you have, the less scary it becomes.

No matter where you are, there's always an opportunity to speak up. For example, if you're at a party and someone asks who your favorite movie star is, don't be afraid to answer honestly—but also don't be afraid of making mistakes!

If you're answering a question about which political party you most align with, tell them what's important to YOU (not necessarily what the party thinks).

You'll probably never end up in front of cameras giving interviews or speeches like some famous public figures do. But even if all it takes for now is participation in conversations with friends and family members, that's okay!

Let's say someone asks what your favorite book series is. You could reply by saying "I love Harry Potter" or "I'm really into Game of Thrones," but maybe instead of going for the obvious answer it would be more meaningful for both parties if said something like: "My favorite book series is actually The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins."

Yes, it may sound clichéd, but practice really does make perfect when it comes to speaking publicly—so don't be afraid to throw out some cliches every once in a while. And remember: when someone says something stupid that needs correcting/critiquing/snarking on...that means they care enough about themselves and others' opinions not just stand around silently while their own thoughts go unheard.

That’s because they care enough to want validation from others; so whether they get it right away or not isn’t as important as knowing that their opinions are being heard at all."

No This Is Not The End - It Is Your New Beginning

I hope this post has helped you to understand the reasons behind your shyness, how it affects your life and what you can do about it. I know that overcoming shyness is a difficult journey, but I believe all things are possible with dedication and hard work.

Although you may not feel it right now, you have within you, all the tools necessary to help you, become an engaging, memorable and extremely confident speaker.

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About the Creator

Lara Livingstone

Time waits for no one and no one understands that better than me, as a digital creator and blogger. If you want to maximize your time, & keep up to date with all the latest travel/life news - check out my articles, products, and reviews

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