Boost Your CONFIDENCE in the moment – blog

How to BOOST YOUR CONFIDENCE– in the moment, when you’re onstage or chit-chatting with strangers….

You know, when you need to boost your confidence? When you suddenly feel the butterflies?, a shot of adrenaline and you’re very self-conscious?!?

This week we learn how to Communicate IN THE MOMENT, when you need to boost your confidence…

(image: Unsplash @ munich0307)

Let’s do this!

5 Steps to Boost your Confidence
IN THE MOMENT

Two weeks ago we covered the 4Ps to help you MENTALLY PREPARE to communicate with confidence. In last week’s newsletter we covered the SIGNIFICANCE of confidence.

Of course these insights help, but sometimes we still feel nervous, right?

In this week’s podcast ? you’ll learn a 5 step formula to boost your confidence IN THE MOMENT. 

I’m on a mission to make these frameworks easy for you to memorize. For Mental Preparation we had “the 4Ps.” To boost your confidence is as easy as A-B-C-D-E!  Here’s your primer:

 “A” is for ASK a Question

• First – ask WHOM?  If you’re at an event and you don’t know anyone, executive recruiter Sharon Mah-Gin suggests approaching an ODD number of people (like 1 or 3 or 5).  Someone will be happy to talk. (Brilliant, Sharon!)

Sharon Mah-Gin

• Look the person in the eye, smile, and ask a question. Shift the spotlight. 
• Ask smart, strategic questions:
  • ask open ended questions
  • ask questions that might inspire a story
  • ask about one of their possessions

“B” is for BREATHE

• Slow deep breathing optimizes your physical state, oxygenates your blood, clarifies your thinking, reduces anxiety and stress, improves your mood, and optimizes the sound of your voice.  Just ask baritone opera singer, Bradley Christensen!

Baritone opera singer Bradley Christenson

• Don’t hold your breath!
• Dr. Nadine Kelly (Yogi-MD) encourages deep diaphragmatic breathing. Fully inflating and deflating your lungs. Project your voice on the exhale.

“C” is for Act CONFIDENT

• When you ACT confident, you BECOME confident. Focus on three elements of your body language:

Andrew Musselman

1. Posture –  Andrew Musselman encourages us to be expansive. Be open. Uncross your legs and unfold your arms. 
2. Hands – Keep your hands in plain view (on the table, outside your pockets).  If you’re on a zoom call, use slow deliberate arm movements.
3. Eyes – Face the person (or the audience!). Look at them directly and smile with your eyes. Nod in agreement and mirror the person with whom you are conversing.

“D” is for No DISTRACTIONS – Focus

• Be mindful, engaged and focused. Ask yourself, “What’s my purpose here?”
• Remind yourself of the 4Ps of Mental Preparation:

1. Practice: as in rehearse
2. Proverb: as in adopt a mantra
3. Pep Talk: as in talking it through with a trusted colleague
4. Pirate: as in copying that confident feeling

“E” is for Use Your EARS – Listen

• Norman Bacal reminds us that listening is more than waiting your turn to talk. Active listeners ask questions.

• Heather Stark encourages us to strive for Generative Listening – as in focused intent, empathy, and collaboration. 

Heather Stark

• People will like you more when you listen! And if you’re listening, you’re focusing on the other person, which means you’re not focused on yourself and your nervous energy.

 Click HERE to listen directly on the Talk About Talk website

or

? Click HERE to listen on your favourite podcast player

or 

? Click HERE to read the printable shownotes

ENJOY the Podcast!

Did you boost your confidence?

OK, Let’s TALK!

I would ❤️ love to hear from you!!!  Feedback or ideas are more than welcome anytime.  Please email me or record your comments to let me know:

• TOPIC IDEAS for future podcasts or newsletters
• QUESTIONS for the upcoming “Q&A” podcast episode
• FEEDBACK on the upgraded Talk About Talk website
• Anything else?

Here’s a great opportunity to TEST your CONFIDENCE.  Just think of a communication-skills related question for me, then go to the ABOUT page on the Talk About Talk website and click “start recording.”

You can ? EMAIL me, or  ? RECORD your feedback or ideas ANYTIME…

That’s it. Have a great week – you got this!

Talk soon,

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