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How to Give a Speech: 10 Tips for Powerful Public Speaking

When we start preparing to give a speech, it can be a nerve-wracking experience. It’s completely normal—most of us feel a combination of excitement and nerves when we’re about to take the stage.

However, with some strategic planning and practical advice, you can make sure your speech is powerful and effective. In this blog post, we’ll explore how to give a speech that will leave your audience engaged and inspired.

We’ll examine 10 tips to help you build a powerful speech, from outlining your points methodically to crafting captivating introductions . Whether you’re a beginner or experienced public speaker, these nuggets of wisdom will help you take your next speech to the next level. Let’s get started!

Quick Review of Key Points

Preparing ahead of time is the key to giving an effective speech. Make sure to structure your speaking points, rehearse your delivery, and be aware of the needs of your audience for maximum impact.

How to Prepare for a Speech

Preparing for a speech is an essential step to public speaking success. It can help to build your confidence, create content that reaches the audience, and reduce performance anxiety.

Although it can be time-consuming in the beginning, preparation will ensure less stress and more comfort during delivery. Here are some tips to consider when preparing for a speech:

Practice : Before delivering a speech, practice it out loud several times. This will allow you to gain experience in speaking without an audience and increase your confidence when you do have one.

Practicing also helps to identify awkward moments in the speech or any difficult phrases which then can be changed or removed altogether. Additionally, it helps you determine where to pause for effect. Research : Depending on the topic of the speech , research should be done beforehand to gather information that is relevant and interesting for the audience. It is important to get acquainted with the language typically used by audiences to ensure a clear understanding of what is being said.

Additionally, relevant statistics and stories concerning the topic are a great way to draw in listeners and make the presentation more engaging .

Know Your Audience : When preparing your speech, be sure to consider who will be listening. For instance, if giving a presentation at work, include industry jargon that members would understand and include relevant topics from publications that might be familiar to the employees.

On the other hand, if consulting business professionals in their field then technical language may be easier for them to comprehend than laypeople or students.

By gathering valuable information about the topic and getting comfortable with a speech’s content and delivery through practice, speakers will gain more assurance during their talk as well as respect from their audience.

Preparing beforehand not only gives insight into how to engage listeners but also encourages more meaningful conversations after the event. Now that we have discussed how to prepare for a speech let us move on to creating an outline which will provide structure during delivery.

Create an Outline

After determining the audience and purpose of your speech, the next step to effective public speaking is to create an outline .

An outline serves as a roadmap to ensure that your speech has a logical flow and contains all important points. It also can help keep you on track during the speech itself, allowing you to stay focused and organized.

When constructing an outline, consider drawing up both a main point and sub-points for each portion of the speech. Both should be relevant to the goal of the presentation and backed up by facts and research.

Brainstorming can help in this process; try grouping your ideas together in clusters to make sure you cover all possible angles.

Furthermore, writing out exact quotations or figures can prove beneficial in forming a cohesive argument. At this stage, it is also wise to decide where transitions, humor, stories, or other engaging techniques will be included.

While there are differing opinions as to whether outlines should be memorized or simply used as a reference while speaking, many agree that they should serve their purpose – not only articulate the main thoughts of the speech but also assist the speaker with maintaining focus and preventing distractions.

The debate between those who advocate for memorization versus casual consulting touches upon issues such as rehearsal time, risk of errors in delivery, ease of practice versus actual performance and more.

Each side has valid arguments that should be weighed prior to deciding what type of approach best suits your needs.

Having a firmly constructed outline acts as a valuable tool when it comes time to deliver a powerful public speech. By actively utilizing this tactic, speakers may not only enhance their clarity and coherence, but also add structure and vibrance to their presentations.

Now that we have explored what goes into crafting an effective outline, let’s dive deeper into how we can best collect resources and research our topics for maximum impact.

Collect Sources and Research

Collecting sources and research is a crucial step for any public speaking engagement. It ensures that you have the necessary information to make strong points and back up your statements.

Before writing your speech, take time to research your topic to gain familiarity with different perspectives, facts, and counterpoints. This will help you to craft an argument that can stand up to scrutiny while also adding a breadth of knowledge to your speech.

Interviews can be a powerful source of evidence and anecdotes, so try to include one or two relevant interviews in your research process. Relying solely on secondary sources such as books and articles can lead to a narrow scope of understanding.

Interviews provide an opportunity to hear directly from an expert and create an interesting dynamic in your speech by adding personal experiences as well as commentary from a professional.

In research it is important to stay objective. Gather a variety of perspectives and be open-minded about their merits. Don’t forget to consider both sides of the argument when researching for your speech.

Doing this allows you to understand the opposing perspective and enables you to anticipate potential counter arguments from your audience.

By acknowledging them beforehand, you may increase the persuasive power of your speech by showing confidence in the points you make.

Once you have collected all sources, review them carefully and separate the most pertinent information from the less useful material.

Synthesising this information into concise yet impactful points is a critical part in delivering powerful talks without overloading your audience with too much data or going off track during your speech delivery.

Organizing Your Speech

Before you start putting your words together, it’s important to consider how the different parts of a speech fit together. By taking the time to organize the ideas in your speech , you’ll be able to deliver a presentation that is well-constructed and easy to understand.

One way to help with organizing your speech is to write an outline . An outline is like a map or plan that will provide you with a framework for each section of your speech.

Start by writing out your main points and then include additional details underneath each one. This will help keep your speech focused and provide direction for where you are going next.

Another approach for organizing your speech is known as the “inverted pyramid” method. This structure starts with your conclusion at the beginning of the speech, and then works backward by providing more explanation and detail as it moves toward the introduction.

This method can be helpful when speaking about topics that are unfamiliar to the audience since it doesn’t require them to wait until near the end of the presentation to learn what you’ve been talking about.

No matter which organization approach you choose, make sure to practice it before giving your speech so that you are comfortable with its flow. Lastly, remember that it’s ok to adjust things while you speak if they don’t seem or feel quite right.

Now let’s take a look at how we can use these organizing techniques to actually put our speeches together – starting with structuring our speech.

Structure Your Speech

Creating a strong structure for your speech will ensure that the audience stays engaged and understands your main points. As you are developing an outline, map out how you want to begin and end your speech.

Break up the information into smaller sections with either verbal or visual cues so that your audience can clearly see how you are transitioning between topics . Consider adding humor judiciously throughout your presentation as this could help engage the audience and lighten any tension.

The length of your presentation is also important. You will want to make sure that you include all of the necessary information without going over time.

Oftentimes less is more; if you can say it in five minutes why use ten? Make sure that you practice timed rehearsals so that you can gauge how long you’re actually speaking.

In contrast, avoid trying to pack too much content into one presentation as this could overwhelm both you and the audience. If needed, offer supplemental reading materials for those who may be interested in delving further into the subject matter.

Paragraphs can also be helpful when organizing large amounts of content within the body of your presentation. Utilizing paragraph breaks gives your audience a break and helps to highlight key ideas or summaries before moving onto a new topic area.

Finally, it is crucial to remember what your desired outcome is from the presentation; plan accordingly by ensuring that the beginning, middle, and end serve their respective purposes and adhere to that goal.

With careful deliberations, structuring a successful presentation can be achieved with relative ease.

Having established a solid structure for your speech, it’s important to focus on another key element: rehearsal. The next section will discuss the benefits of practicing before delivering a powerful public speaking performance.

Rehearse Your Speech

Rehearsing is integral to giving a successful speech. When you rehearse your presentation, you give your mind an opportunity to become familiar with the notes and concepts that you are presenting. It also increases your confidence and reduces anxiety or self-doubt.

In fact, studies have found that those who rehearsed their presentation had higher scores in public speaking performance and language proficiency evaluations.

When it comes to how much rehearsal is enough, opinions are divided. Some people believe that over-rehearsing can lead to a more robotic speech with less natural emotion and connection with the audience .

On the other hand, others argue that no matter how well-versed someone is on the topic, additional rehearsal time improves both the delivery of the speech and memorization of key points and facts.

Ultimately, it’s important to practice until you personally find the most comfortable level for yourself, as this will ultimately result in a more engaging delivery.

Finally, if at all possible, try to practice in front of a friend or colleague for honest feedback on any elements that need improvement before the big day. Rehearsal dedication may be tedious, but it results in big rewards on stage–enabling you to deliver your content with clarity, confidence, and poise.

With thoughtful preparation complete, it’s now time to step into the spotlight and give your speech!

Giving Your Speech

The key to success when giving a speech is to be well prepared and confident. Every individual’s preparation process will vary, but the basics should stay the same.

Start by studying your content, understanding the material and being able to repeat it in your own words. Clarify any potentially difficult points. Create visual aids like PowerPoint slides or handouts that supplement the key ideas in your speech.

Practice your public speaking skills with informal conversations with friends and family or rehearse it alone in front of a mirror. Use visualization; imagine yourself confidently delivering your speech. Consider addressing a practice audience if possible to become more accustomed to a live size group.

On the day of the event, arrive early and plan for any potential obstacles: What if my computer doesn’t work? What if I forget something? Allow sufficient time for setup and check-in.

When you are ready to give your speech, take some deep breaths, focus on the positives, and distract yourself from any anxious thoughts with positive affirmations. Remember you have prepared diligently for this moment, you are well prepared and you will succeed!

Start strong by engaging the audience immediately with an attention grabbing opening statement. Speak clearly and make sure that everyone can hear and understand your message.

Slow down and emphasize points as needed throughout your presentation. Be aware of pace, volume, and tone of voice: too fast/monotone can confuse/bore listeners while pauses add a dramatic effect that keeps their interest piqued.

Ultimately, giving a successful speech will depend on knowing your material well enough to speak confidently in front of your audience without hesitation or missteps.

When you do make a mistake (and they happen!) don’t panic – know that mistakes are inevitable but don’t be discouraged; get back on track as soon as possible and continue at the same energy level you had before the mistake occurred.

Having successfully given your speech, take a moment to reflect on what went well and what could be improved upon for next time before transitioning into the next step: mastering delivery.

Master Your Delivery

Mastering your delivery is the key to an effective speech. Without purposeful body language and careful emphasis on certain words , your speech may lack wow-factor and prevent listeners from tuning in. Following these simple tips can help you get started with delivering an engaging and memorable speech:

The most important part of delivery is practice. Rehearse and perfect your speech ahead of time – this allows for more natural flow and confidence during your presentation. It also helps to create pauses between sentences for clarity, emphasize key points, and not be too casual or stiff.

Practicing inflections and varying tones adds interest to your speech by keeping listeners’ attention.

Additionally, it’s important to project your voic e so everyone in the room can hear you; make sure you’re speaking loud enough but don’t feel pressure to shout or yell at any point unless that’s part of the atmosphere of the event.

It’s also crucial to maintain good posture while speaking – stand tall with both feet on the ground, keep your back straight, hold yourself up without gesturing too much or leaning against a podium if applicable.

To further engage listeners, use purposeful hand gestures as they help emphasize certain points and add visual interest – however, avoid overusing them as it can hinders communication.

Make meaningful eye contact with audience members throughout the presentation – otherwise you might come across as unenthusiastic or bored with what you’re saying which deters attention away from the content itself.

By mastering your delivery, you can boost the impact of your presentation considerably – providing a memorable experience for your audience that stands out from others’. As such, it’s worth investing time into practicing ahead of time until delivery feels comfortable and second nature.

Having said this, making use of visual aids such as PowerPoint slides can greatly improve the impact of a speech once delivery has been mastered – let’s look into that next.

Use Visual Aids

Using visual aids can help presenters express concepts more clearly and engage the audience.

Visuals are particularly useful when conveying complex information, such as data, trends, or statistics — they impart meaning at a glance. But some public speakers may wonder if visual aids can be distracting or unnecessary.

Even though visuals can attract attention away from a presenter’s verbal delivery, carefully designed visuals can actually support the speech and help provide clarity. If done well, visuals are effective for capturing an audience’s interest and helping them to better understand the content being presented.

For example, a graph or chart should relate to the points made in the speech and should be discussed in more detail during its appearance onscreen. The presentation can also include larger images that effectively reinforce the ideas conveyed in the speech.

Videos and sound clips are other powerful forms of multimedia that could be employed to make the speech more meaningful.

To ensure that visuals enhance the message of the presentation, key factors to consider include relevancy to topic, good graphic design or aesthetics, accurate size to prevent distortion or blurriness, and seamless integration into the keynote slides or printed handouts .

In this way, visuals offer an opportunity for presenters to demonstrate their creativity and keep their audiences interested in what is being said. Thus, used wisely and aptly, visuals can add tremendous value to speeches by presenting arguments more efficiently and driving home important points. Now let’s explore effective techniques for speech giving that will allow you to craft and deliver your speeches with confidence.

Effective Techniques for Speech Giving

There are a number of effective techniques for giving a speech that will help you deliver it with confidence and poise.

First, practice your delivery in advance. You should practice both in front of a mirror or recording device to check for any distracting habits such as talking too quickly or mispronouncing words.

Second, use simple, clear language and short, concise sentences. Avoid overly technical terms and jargon that may leave your audience confused.

Third, work to establish a connection with your audience by using appropriate facial expressions and hand gestures while speaking.

Fourth, utilize effective persuasive techniques such as presenting evidence, strong arguments supported by facts, personal anecdotes and vivid metaphors.

Finally, articulate an organized structure for your speech. Your speech should have an introduction, body and conclusion to clearly communicate the main point and provide the audience with the necessary context to understand it better.

While these techniques may sound intimidating at first, they can be learned over time with practice and will make all the difference in how successful your speech delivery is received by your audience.

To build on these skills further , the next section will provide tips on how to build confidence when giving a speech.

Building Confidence

Building confidence is key when giving a powerful speech, as it will enable you to deliver the speech in a more poised and credible manner.

To create this confidence , start by understanding that any hesitation or butterflies prior to your speech are completely normal and should not be feared. Instead, view them as natural states of anticipation for something exciting, knowing that you are about to give an amazing speech.

Next, understanding who your audience is and tailoring your speech to meet their expectations will help build your confidence.

Familiarizing yourself with their interests and knowledge on the subject matter ahead of time can equip you with the understanding needed to respond appropriately if questions arise or objections surface during the speech.

Further, practice is key when building confidence for a public speaking engagement . Rehearsing with friends or colleagues before hand will give you an opportunity to learn where problem areas are within the content of your speech, as well as help solidify your delivery by becoming more comfortable with each step.

Checking sound levels in the room you’re presenting in coupled with learning where exits/emergency locations are located within that space can also help alleviate stress levels and boost self-assurance while delivering the speech.

Finally, wearing comfortable clothing and dressing professionally adds an extra layer of confidence when speaking in public.

If possible, bring an additional outfit on hand during the presentation in case of spills or accidents that would require a quick change between sections of the talk. Having this back-up plan in place can aid in keeping peace of mind at ease throughout the speech.

In conclusion, building confidence prior to a public speaking event can mean the difference between a good and great delivery of your message.

By taking into account each of these tips you can ensure that this part of your preparation runs smoothly and sets you up for success when delivering powerful speeches.

With a well-crafted note card of talking points and strong sense of self-assurance, it’s time to start speaking with passion!

Speaking with Passion

As a public speaker, your audience expects you to engage not only with your words but also with your emotions. To share the most impactful message, it is important to speak passionately about your subject.

Doing so will make your speech more memorable and thereby more effective in convincing your audience of its legitimacy.

The power of speaking authentically with emotion lies in its relatability and connection. Showing feelings allows people to connect with you as a person rather than just a speaker. It opens the door to understanding through empathy and active listening .

Examples might include adding personal stories , telling jokes, or displaying your feelings openly during the delivery of your message.

However, not all topics lend themselves easily to expressing emotion. If the subject matter is overly complex or technical there may be less opportunity for emotional expression—but this doesn’t mean those conversations can’t incorporate emotion.

Even if faced with a difficult situation such as death or financial turmoil, emotions can still be conveyed in a respectful way that keeps audiences engaged.

Remember that how much emotion you show depends on the type of audience you’re sharing it with—using sensitivity when delivering passionate speeches helps avoid awkwardness or embarrassment for any attendees who may find opinionated language uncomfortable for whatever reason.

Striking the right balance between being straightforward and showing compassion takes practice, so take the time to develop a style that works best for you and improves upon each performance.

Finally, incorporating passion into a speech gives it life and makes it relatable and engaging—which are essential elements to speaking effectively.

Having passion means giving ourselves permission to take ownership over our stories, making them deeply personal in order to reach our goals and touch people’s hearts in meaningful ways. With that said, let’s move on to discussing how we should tackle dealing with challenges while giving a speech.

Dealing with Challenges

The process of delivering a speech can be challenging, but it is also rewarding. Difficulties can arise during the process that may threaten to derail your success. To ensure you are adequately prepared for these possible pitfalls it is important to consider strategies for proactively mitigating the risk of encountering these challenges. 1. Public Speaking Anxiety: Many people experience some form of anxiety when asked to speak in public. There are a number of techniques available to combat this fear and increase confidence, such as deep breathing exercises, mental rehearsal, positive self-talk and visualization of success.

Learning about the audience, creating an engaging presentation and using props or visual aids can also help reduce anxiety levels and create a better overall experience for both the speaker and the audience. 2. Unfamiliar Topics or Audiences: When presenting on unfamiliar topics or to an unknown audience it can be difficult to prepare effectively.

In this situation it is important to conduct research on the topic and familiarize yourself with the needs of your audience so that the content is tailored accordingly. It is also helpful to use humor or stories related to the topic in order to engage your audience and make them more receptive to your message. 3. Lack of Support: If you lack support from family, friends, colleagues or mentors, it can be difficult to push through difficult conversations or speeches without any additional motivation.

To overcome this challenge, seek out peer mentorship opportunities or find compatible online communities where people discuss similar topics or objectives. Here you can share ideas, provide feedback and learn from others who have experienced similar issues. 4. Time Constraints: One of the biggest challenges when giving a speech is managing your time effectively in order to deliver an effective message without going over allotted timeslots and boring your audience .

To successfully address this challenge try setting manageable goals for each section of your speech and practice regularly. Replicating real-time conditions as closely as possible will help you stay within time constraints when delivering your speech on the day itself. In conclusion, there are many potential challenges you may face when giving a speech or taking part in a public speaking event – but with proper preparation and practice they are easily managed if approached correctly.

With knowledge of techniques for dealing with such scenarios comes increased confidence when stepping up to the podium – further improving your chances of delivering an effective speech that resonates with your audience members.

Responses to Frequently Asked Questions

How should i end my speech to leave a lasting impression.

The best way to end your speech is by reinforcing your main point and summarizing the key takeaways. You should also encourage the audience to take action, whether it be to sign up for a newsletter, make a donation, or visit your website for more information. This final call to action will not only leave a lasting impression on the audience but will also help you achieve any goals you might have had when making your speech in the first place.

What techniques can I use to keep my audience engaged during my speech?

One of the best techniques for keeping an audience engaged during a speech is to keep it interactive . Ask questions throughout the presentation, as well as allowing for audience input and discussion. This can help to keep people’s attention and create a more engaging experience.

Another great tip is to use humor. Even if you don’t consider yourself a natural comedian, sprinkling in a few jokes here and there can break up the monotony of long speeches and keep people interested. Humor can also help to make points stick in people’s minds, making them easier to remember.

Finally, try to be enthusiastic about the content of your speech. If you show too much indifference or lethargic behavior, it will discourage your audience from paying attention and taking your message seriously.

Instead, be passionate about what you are saying so that the energy of your words carries into the room and engages your audience with excitement.

How can I use storytelling to make my speech more interesting?

Storytelling is a powerful tool that can be used to make any speech more interesting. Telling stories in your speech will help engage the audience and make your message stick. Here are some tips for using storytelling in your speech:

1. Choose stories that are relevant to your message and audience. Think about stories that will best illustrate the point you are trying to convey, or evoke emotions in your listeners. 2. Use vivid descriptions and visuals when telling your story. Be sure to include details such as setting, character descriptions, dialogue and plot points. This will help to bring the story to life for your audience. 3. Make sure the story you are telling has a strong conclusion or moral at the end. This will help add emphasis to your message and make it memorable. 4. Practice telling stories out loud before delivering a speech with them. Rehearsing will help you deliver your story more effectively and with more confidence in front of an audience. By using these tips, storytelling can be an effective tool to make any speech more interesting, engaging, and persuasive!

How can I prepare for my speech effectively?

Preparing for a speech effectively is essential to delivering an impactful and memorable presentation. Here are some tips: 1. Have a clear goal in mind. Before starting to prepare, ask yourself what the purpose of giving the speech is: what message do you want to convey? Defining this will help to structure your content and focus your research. 2. Research thoroughly. Make sure you understand the subject matter well, so that your delivery sounds confident and inspiring. Using facts and data will strengthen your arguments and make your talk more convincing. 3. Outline your speech. Make a rough outline of how you want it to go – from beginning to end – well in advance of the actual presentation. This will give you a strong foundation upon which you can craft an engaging talk with an effective narrative arc that keeps audiences interested and engaged. 4. Practice regularly. Rehearsing your speech out loud several times is key to ensuring that you know it well enough to feel comfortable when delivering it live in front of an audience.

5. Time yourself. Record how long it takes for you to go through your entire speech, so that you can adjust the length as needed before delivering it live – remember that most speeches should last no more than 10-15 minutes. 6. Identify potential questions from the audience and prepare answers before hand. Knowing ahead of time what kind of questions people may ask can help reduce the anxiety of not knowing what comes next, enabling you to stay confident when speaking in public. 7. Work on building up confidence levels before delivering a speech. Visualize yourself succeeding in delivering a great presentation; practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or positive self-talk; or use props during practice sessions such as water bottles or stress balls if needed to remain calm during the real thing!

What strategies can I use to reduce my anxiety when giving a speech?

1. Plan Ahead: Create an outline of your speech beforehand and practice it multiple times to become familiar with the content. Doing a trial run with the audience can also help you get used to speaking in front of people.

2. Visualize Success: Positive visualization is a great way to reduce anxiety before giving a speech. Imagine yourself confidently delivering the speech while feeling relaxed and composed.

3. Get Organized: Make sure you have all the materials necessary for your presentation, including notes, slides, etc., to reduce any additional stress that may come from not having what you need when you speak.

4. Take Deep Breaths: Before and during the speech, take a few deep breaths as this will help calm nerves and make sure your breathing is regulated throughout the duration of your presentation.

5. Speak Slowly: It is common to feel anxious while giving a speech and try to rush through it too quickly. Speaking slowly helps maintain composure while delivering your message effectively and clearly.

6. Pay Attention to Your Body: Your posture, stance, movements , facial expressions can all influence how confident you appear to your audience and how nervous you may be feeling inside. Check in with yourself frequently throughout the presentation and correct any tense body language or physical actions if needed.

7. Focus on the Audience: If you notice that your anxiety levels are growing as you present, shift your focus onto the audience instead of yourself as this will help refocus your attention away from negative thoughts that may arise from fear or insecurity.

8. Make Eye Contact: Establishing eye contact with your audience is a key confidence-builder for public speakers—it shows that you’re strong, engaged with them, and receptive to feedback or questions they might have regarding your speech topic .

9. Practice Positive Affirmations: Positive thoughts will boost your self-confidence as well as your mood which can help increase performance quality significantly during speeches or presentations in general—so don’t forget to tell yourself “you can do it!” several times throughout the day leading up to the event!

10. Seek Support of Friends & Family: Many experienced public speakers suggest seeking support of close friends & family members prior and during their speeches—not only does it allow helpful critique regarding content but it also creates a more comfortable atmosphere while speaking which can reduce pre-speech jitters drastically.

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How to Look and Sound Confident During a Presentation

• Carmine Gallo

Your audience will make up their minds about you in seconds.

How you look and sound during a speech or presentation are going to make a big impression on your audience. Within seconds, listeners will decide whether you are trustworthy, and they will do it based on your body language and vocal attributes. The good news is that there is plenty of hard evidence that explains how you can give the appearance of confidence and competence — even if you’re nervous or timid on the inside. To look confident, make eye contact, keep an open posture, and use gestures to emphasize your message. To sound confident, eliminate filler words, take time to pause before important messages, and vary your pace.

You’ve crafted the message and created the slides for your next presentation. Now it’s time to wow the audience. How you look and sound are going to make a big impression — and your audience will form opinions quickly .

• Carmine Gallo is a Harvard University instructor, keynote speaker, and author of 10 books translated into 40 languages. Gallo is the author of The Bezos Blueprint: Communication Secrets of the World’s Greatest Salesman  (St. Martin’s Press).

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10 Tips for Improving Your Public Speaking Skills

Few are immune to the fear of public speaking. Marjorie North offers 10 tips for speakers to calm the nerves and deliverable memorable orations.

Marjorie North

Snakes? Fine. Flying? No problem. Public speaking? Yikes! Just thinking about public speaking — routinely described as one of the greatest (and most common) fears — can make your palms sweat. But there are many ways to tackle this anxiety and learn to deliver a memorable speech.

In part one of this series,  Mastering the Basics of Communication , I shared strategies to improve how you communicate. In part two, How to Communicate More Effectively in the Workplace , I examined how to apply these techniques as you interact with colleagues and supervisors in the workplace. For the third and final part of this series, I’m providing you with public speaking tips that will help reduce your anxiety, dispel myths, and improve your performance.

Here Are My 10 Tips for Public Speaking:

1. nervousness is normal. practice and prepare.

All people feel some physiological reactions like pounding hearts and trembling hands. Do not associate these feelings with the sense that you will perform poorly or make a fool of yourself. Some nerves are good. The adrenaline rush that makes you sweat also makes you more alert and ready to give your best performance.

The best way to overcome anxiety is to prepare, prepare, and prepare some more. Take the time to go over your notes several times. Once you have become comfortable with the material, practice — a lot. Videotape yourself, or get a friend to critique your performance.

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2. Know Your Audience. Your Speech Is About Them, Not You.

Before you begin to craft your message, consider who the message is intended for. Learn as much about your listeners as you can. This will help you determine your choice of words, level of information, organization pattern, and motivational statement.

3. Organize Your Material in the Most Effective Manner to Attain Your Purpose.

Create the framework for your speech. Write down the topic, general purpose, specific purpose, central idea, and main points. Make sure to grab the audience’s attention in the first 30 seconds.

4. Watch for Feedback and Adapt to It.

Keep the focus on the audience. Gauge their reactions, adjust your message, and stay flexible. Delivering a canned speech will guarantee that you lose the attention of or confuse even the most devoted listeners.

5. Let Your Personality Come Through.

Be yourself, don’t become a talking head — in any type of communication. You will establish better credibility if your personality shines through, and your audience will trust what you have to say if they can see you as a real person.

6. Use Humor, Tell Stories, and Use Effective Language.

Inject a funny anecdote in your presentation, and you will certainly grab your audience’s attention. Audiences generally like a personal touch in a speech. A story can provide that.

7. Don’t Read Unless You Have to. Work from an Outline.

Reading from a script or slide fractures the interpersonal connection. By maintaining eye contact with the audience, you keep the focus on yourself and your message. A brief outline can serve to jog your memory and keep you on task.

8. Use Your Voice and Hands Effectively. Omit Nervous Gestures.

Nonverbal communication carries most of the message. Good delivery does not call attention to itself, but instead conveys the speaker’s ideas clearly and without distraction.

9. Grab Attention at the Beginning, and Close with a Dynamic End.

Do you enjoy hearing a speech start with “Today I’m going to talk to you about X”? Most people don’t. Instead, use a startling statistic, an interesting anecdote, or concise quotation. Conclude your speech with a summary and a strong statement that your audience is sure to remember.

10. Use Audiovisual Aids Wisely.

Too many can break the direct connection to the audience, so use them sparingly. They should enhance or clarify your content, or capture and maintain your audience’s attention.

Practice Does Not Make Perfect

Good communication is never perfect, and nobody expects you to be perfect. However, putting in the requisite time to prepare will help you deliver a better speech. You may not be able to shake your nerves entirely, but you can learn to minimize them.

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About the Author

North is a consultant for political candidates, physicians, and lawyers, and runs a private practice specializing in public speaking, and executive communication skills. Previously, she was the clinical director in the department of speech and language pathology and audiology at Northeastern University.

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How To Be Confident In Public Speaking: 3-Step Approach

• Public Speaking
• August 9, 2023

Have you ever looked at someone—a public speaker, a politician, or a friend—and been amazed by their unwavering confidence? Their communication skills , ability to command attention and captivate an audience are truly remarkable. But what if I told you that confidence in public speaking is not just reserved for a selected few? 

In this blog, we will explore the secrets of how to be a confident speaker in public speaking, providing valuable techniques and insights to:

So let’s start with the first step right away!

1. Look Confident

Do you wonder if the audience can tell that you are underconfident when you present sometimes? Ever thought about how you can just project confidence and appear comfortable even though you are not? 

That’s where the following technique comes into play.

Technique 1: Fake It Till You Make It

Fake it until you make it is a method used in public speaking where you should think and act confidently, even if you don’t feel confident at first. Over time, this deliberate behaviour can change how you feel on the inside and make you naturally feel more secure. 

How to “fake it till you make it”:

• Posture and body language: During your public speaking event stand tall with your shoulders back and head held high. Avoid slouching or fidgeting, as it can convey nervousness. A confident posture exudes self-assurance.
• Smile: A genuine smile communicates warmth and approachability. It also signals to the audience that you feel comfortable and confident in your role as a speaker.
• Gestures and expressions: Use purposeful gestures to emphasise key points. Avoid excessive hand movements or fidgeting, and let your facial expressions reflect enthusiasm and conviction.

With this technique, you can indeed look confident in front of people. However, most people shy away from making eye contact. The following section will tell you how to overcome this issue. 

Technique 2: 50/70 Rule  

The 50/70 rule for public speaking says that you should make eye contact with your audience between 50-70% of the time you are speaking or delivering a presentation. It shows how to identify and make the right amount of eye contact to connect with the audience, keep their attention, and exhibit confidence.

How to use the 50/70 rule:

Step 1: Decide how long eye contact should last based on the situation, the number of people in the group, and cultural norms.

Step 2: Take short breaks from eye contact to gather your thoughts, move from one point to the next, or stress important points. This prevents staring and allows the audience to absorb information . 

Step 3: Scan to look at different people or groups in the crowd. Spread your gaze to ensure everyone feels included , and avoid staring at one person for too long.

Step 4: Use the 50/70 rule when you talk to people, ask for comments and make changes as needed . With practice, you will develop a natural flow and a sense of how to use eye contact well. 

We discussed looking confident but let’s discuss the most crucial aspect. This section will discuss a few techniques to sound more confident while speaking. 

2. Sound Confident

Have you ever felt your message creates less impact because your voice is not strong enough and how can you change this issue? 

Learn how to harness the full power of your voice when you speak, show confidence in public, and captivate your audience’s attention with your engaging and self-assured delivery.

Tone Modulation

Your voice is a powerful tool for engaging your audience and conveying your message effectively. To improve your vocal variety and tone, consider the 4Ps technique:

1. Pitch: It is how your voice changes from one tone to another when you speak. Different pitches can help you show your feelings, highlight important points, and keep your audience interested .

Raise your pitch to express excitement or surprise when sharing good news, announcing a thrilling event or cheering on a sports team.

Lower your pitch to convey seriousness, authority or mystery. This can be useful in delivering an effective presentation, addressing instructions and sharing intriguing information.

2. Pace: It is how fast/slow you speak. Changing your pace can add focus, or make things more transparent . It’s essential to keep a steady pace that your listeners can keep up with.

Slow down your pace to add weight and importance to your words. This is useful in delivering key messages, making announcements, or explaining complex concepts.

Speedup to convey excitement or urgency, such as during a lively debate to match the energy of the conversation or when delivering time-sensitive information.

3. Pause: It is the break or moments of silence at the correct times in your speech to emphasise your point. Pauses give your audience time to take in what you’re saying, draw attention to the most important thing or points, build expectations, and give your speech a sense of rhythm.

Take a brief pause before delivering an important statement to build anticipation and create a dramatic impact. This can be applied during public speaking or storytelling.

Use pauses strategically throughout your speech or presentation to allow listeners to process information or emphasise certain points.

4. Power: By speaking publicly with conviction, projecting your voice, and emphasising key points, you instil a create of responsibility and motivate your audience to take action.

Use a strong voice, change your volume to emphasise points, and enunciate each word clearly, especially.

Persuade others by confidently presenting your main points as power gives credibility to your message and makes it more convincing.

Language And Vocabulary: 

Language and vocabulary improve a speaker’s ability to communicate ideas clearly but also gives them the power to connect with a wide range of audiences on a profound level in public speaking. We sound authoritative, confident, and trustworthy when we employ engaging vocabulary. This gains trust and attention. 

Tips for using language effectively:

Choose powerful words:  

By choosing powerful words, we can make a stronger impact on our audience. When selecting words, consider their connotation, emotional impact, and ability to engage and persuade. 

Powerful words command attention, evoke emotions, and leave a lasting impression . 

Words for example, breathtaking, time-sensitive, risk-free and more can make your presentation more persuasive.

Minimise filler words:

Filler words like “um,” “like,” and “you know” can take away from our message and make it harder to get our point across . 

Replace them with intentional pauses or transition words to convey a sense of thoughtfulness and confidence. 

You can use words like therefore, also, first of all, and more to keep your fillers words to a minimum. 

After learning to look and sound confident, let’s talk about how to feel confident. In this section, we will discuss techniques that help you gain confidence in public. 

3. Feel Confident

Does this happen when you step on stage you start breathing rapidly which makes you walk and talk faster, use irregular gestures, lose confidence and become nervous. 

Discover essential techniques and mindful exercises to overcome fear, harness the adrenaline rush, and feel confident as you convey your message in public speaking or interpersonal meetings.

Glance And Anchor Technique

Do you know how it feels when you are on the stage during public speaking and suddenly fear hits you all at once? It’s like a strong wave: it’s scary, it takes over, and you can’t stop it. The reality is that many of us don’t know how to deal with anxiety when it hits. Glance and anchor method, on the other hand, is a simple method that has been shown to help lower anxiety.

How to use glance and anchor techniques?

Step 1: Find an audience member or thing in your environment that makes you feel good or gives you confidence . It can even be the back wall of different sections of the room. 

Step 2: When you’re anxious or need a boost, quickly look at that face or item to get back on track and calm down.

Step 3: Use the glance anchor method before meaningful conversations, presentations, or challenging situations .

Step 4: Remember that the point isn’t to rely on the anchor constantly but to get your mind back on the job.

Step 5: Use the glance anchor method in different situations to help you feel more stable and calm inside.

Step 6: Over time, you’ll feel more confident and strong and depend less on external anchors and more on your inner power.

A power pose is a way to show confidence and power through your body language during public speaking. It involves taking on a wide stance. You can use the power pose by being aware of your posture and changing it to be more open and straight. Don’t slouch or cross your arms because these actions can make you look closed off or uncertain.

How to do power poses:

Step 1: Find a quiet place to practise where you won’t be interrupted.

Step 2: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your hands on your hips or raised in a winning stance.

Step 3: Keep your shoulders back and your chest open.

Step 4: Take deep breaths and stay in the pose for about two to three minutes.

Step 5: Picture yourself as solid and sure of yourself as you hold the power pose.

Step 6: Do this exercise again before a big speech or whenever you need more confidence in public.

Let’s look at some helpful resources that can help you feel more confident as a public speaker. These can give you more advice and techniques to improve your communication skills further.

Resources To Become A Confident Public Speaker

Books: Books such as “ The Power of Eye Contact ” by Michael Ellsberg, Presentation Zen by Garr Reynolds, and “ Speak with No Fear ” by Mike Acker provide valuable insights to become a confident public speaker, including tips on body language, vocal modulation, and building self-confidence. 

Online courses: Public speaking courses offer structured and comprehensive guidance to build confidence on stage, with expert instructors providing valuable feedback and tailored strategies. Public speaking classes host a wide range of public speaking courses and techniques, allowing individuals to access professional training and refine their skills from the comfort of their own homes.

TED Talks: Watching TED Talks of confident speakers can be an excellent source of inspiration and learning . Observe how seasoned speakers engage their audience members, craft powerful narratives from personal stories, and convey complex ideas effectively.

YouTube tutorials: YouTube offers a vast array of public speaking tutorials and tips from experienced speakers. These bite-sized videos can be a valuable resource for specific techniques and advice.

It’s rare for a speaker to have learned all the ways of confident public speaking. In fact, many people don’t know about them. Now that you know, all you have to do is practice, practice, practice. If it takes longer than you thought, don’t be too hard on yourself. Some of these strategies will take a few tries to get right, while others, will take a few hours. Keep at it. There is nothing more powerful than having thoughts that match the power of your presence.

Rishabh Bhandari

Rishabh Bhandari is the Content Strategist at Kapable. Rishabh likes to transform complex ideas into captivating narratives relatable to the target audience. He loves telling stories through his content. He believes that stories have the power to shift mindsets and move mountains. He has 3 years of experience in educational blog writing and copywriting.

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How to speak with confidence in public

November 8, 2022 - Dom Barnard

An estimated 75% of adults suffer from a  fear of public speaking . When stress hormones are released we may behave differently – frequently, our minds go blank, our voices become harder to control, we may visibly shake etc.

Even professional public speakers have to deal with nerves but they have techniques to cope. In this article, we discuss ways of speaking with confidence in public.

Preparation and organisation

Be prepared and organised for your presentation because this increases your control and less things can go wrong. For example:

• Visit the venue and room you’ll be presenting in beforehand
• Ensure you print any materials you need at least the day before
• Create cards to use as cues
• Prepare for technical faults, such as, having a back-up in case a video does not play
• Arrive early for your speech
• Practice repeatedly

Read our  Checklist for Before and After a Presentation

Positive mental imagery

Visualise delivering your presentation confidently and successfully as this will reinforce your confidence. Really imagine being there and use all of your senses to form the imagery. If you find that your visualisations are negative then challenge these scenarios by drawing on previous experiences of successful communication. Substitute the negative imagery with more realistic imagery.

Managing nerves

Remember that you haven’t been invited to present for the purpose of being ridiculed – the audience wants to hear you speak. Plan for  managing your nerves  by:

• Avoiding consuming too much caffeine beforehand as this is a stimulant and can leave you feeling more nervous and shaky.
• Preparing music or a podcast that you can listen to on the way to the presentation.
• Find a mindfulness exercise you’d feel comfortable doing as you travel to the venue.
• Master controlled breathing beforehand so you can engage in this right before going onstage.
• If you have time, engage in exercise beforehand. Exercising releases endorphins which reduce stress levels and make you feel better.
• Recognise that it’s unlikely that the audience will know that you’re feeling nervous – you do not look as anxious as you feel.

During the presentation, if you notice that you’re speaking too quickly then pause and breathe. This won’t look strange – it will appear as though you’re giving thought to what you’re saying.

You can also  strategically plan some of your pauses , such as after questions and at the end of sections, because this will give you a chance to calm down and it will also give the audience an opportunity to think and reflect.

Pausing will also help you  avoid filler words , such as, “um” as well which can make you sound unsure.

If you’re very familiar with the content of your presentation, your audience will perceive you as confident. Practicing tips:

• Don’t just read the presentation through – practice everything, including  your transitions  and using your visual aids.
• Stand up and speak it aloud as though you were presenting to an audience.
• Ensure that you practice your body language and gesturing.
• Practice in front of others and  get their feedback .
• Film yourself presenting and watch it back.
• Freely improvise so you’ll sound more natural on the day. Don’t learn your presentation verbatim because you will sound uninterested and if you lose focus then you may forget everything.

Confident body language

You’ll notice that professional public speakers look relaxed and confident, they talk slowly and make positive body movements. To appear confident:

• Maintain eye contact  with the audience
• Use gestures to emphasise points
• Move around the stage
• Match facial expressions with what you’re saying
• Reduce nervous habits
• Slowly and steadily breathe
• Use your voice aptly

For more details, read our  8 Elements of Confident Body Language

Grow your confidence with  interactive practice exercises , on skills such as public speaking, impromptu speaking, giving feedback, and more.

Use your nervous energy

It can be difficult to hide your nerves so another way of dealing with this is to emphasise your emotions. This means conveying the emotions you’re explaining/you felt at the time, for example, the disappointment you felt at a failure or the excitement you felt at a finding. The emotion you display will hide your nerves.

Speak slowly

When you’re nervous you may rush through your presentation and finish too quickly. This makes it obvious to the audience that you’re nervous, it’s probably frustrating for them to listen to and watch, you’re not taking the time to connect with them and it’s likely that you’re making mistakes.

Try speaking at a speed that feels uncomfortably slow because it’s likely that’s the correct speed.

• Average Speaking Rate and Words per Minute

Connect with audience from the start

The first five minutes are vital for engaging the audience and getting them to listen to you. Consider telling a story about a mistake you made or maybe life wasn’t going well for you in the past – if relevant to your presentation’s aim.

People will relate to this as we have all experienced mistakes and failures. The more the audience relates to you, the more likely they will remain engaged which will increase your confidence.

• How to start a presentation effectively

Friendly faces

Find a member of the audience that is: engaged, nodding or smiling in each section of the room. When you find yourself becoming uncomfortable you can move your eyes to the friendly face in that section.

Identify and challenge your excuses

Write down the thoughts you have when you avoid speaking in a meeting or when you reject delivering a presentation. These thoughts will identify what you’re specifically afraid of, such as, worrying the audience will judge you as incompetent.

This negative inner dialogue reduces your confidence and makes you think you can’t speak in public. Challenge these thoughts by looking at evidence of your successful communication and recognise how unrealistic the thoughts can be.

Focus on your message

When you’re presenting focus on what you’re saying and why this message needs to be delivered to the audience. This will keep you connected with your speech and will prevent you from being distracted by, for example, an audience member falling asleep or your evaluation of how the presentation is going. Instead you’ll be connecting to the listeners who finding your presentation valuable.

Create a stage persona

It can be tempting to imitate favoured public speakers but it’s better to work out what your characteristics as a speaker are and then amplify these. To develop a confident stage persona ask yourself:

• What are my best characteristics as a speaker? E.g. Am I empathetic? Humorous? etc.
• What are my features as a speaker? E.g. Do I gesticulate a lot? Am I energetic? Do I stick to the script or do I improvise? etc.

More experienced and confident public speakers use humour in their presentations. The audience will be incredibly engaged if you make them laugh and it lightens the mood which will make you feel more comfortable. But caution must be exercised when using humour because a joke can be misinterpreted and even offend the audience.

Only use jokes if you’re confident with this technique and it’s suitable for the situation. Making fun of yourself is usually a safe way of using humour and it cultivates trust because it’s more relatable to the audience.

• Udemy course on becoming  Funnier at Public Speaking

Be prepared for mistakes

Mistakes happen all the time but reacting awkwardly can make the audience feel uncomfortable. It’s better to laugh at yourself so consider preparing one-liners to fall back on if you do make a mistake. Having this back-up can make you feel more secure.

Recognise the positives afterwards

After delivering a presentation it’s typical of some people to only focus on the negatives of the presentation. By doing this you’re ignoring the positives even though there were probably more of these compared to the amount of negatives.

Acknowledge these positives and write them down so you can remind yourself in the future and challenge your negative predictions.

It’s important to accept that you’re probably going to be nervous when you present but most people experience this feeling and it doesn’t ruin presentations. Have confidence in what you’re saying and convert your nerves into something helpful.

You won’t develop your confidence if you don’t push yourself and if you avoid uncomfortable situations.

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• Presentations
• Public Speaking

How to Speak Confidently in Public (Like a Pro Speaker)

• Bahasa Indonesia
• العربية/عربي

It's normal to be afraid of public speaking. In one study conducted among business school students, three out of four admitted to being afraid of public speaking . So, if speaking in public makes you nervous, you're not alone.

Knowing how to speak with confidence in public is an important skill. Whether you're a business professional who needs to give a presentation, a student in school, or someone who's been asked to give a talk for a social occasion--you want your speech to go well. But if you've never given a speech before you may be worried about how to talk to an audience.

With the right preparation, you can learn how to speak in public with confidence. In this tutorial, you'll learn how to deliver a speech with confidence. We'll provide steps that will help you prepare for and give your speech confidently. Plus, we'll share some additional resources that will show you how to stay confident when speaking.

1. How to Pick the Right Speech Topic for You

Not every topic is right for everybody. If you're asked to speak about something that you've got no knowledge of or no experience with, you'll have a harder time speaking confidently.  If given a choice, choose to speak on a topic you know well and/or are passionate about.

But don't worry, even if you've been asked to speak on a topic that's less than ideal for you the tips in this tutorial can still teach you how to speak with confidence in public.

In addition, the type of speech you choose affects how confident you are. There are several types of speeches:

• Informative speech . The purpose of an informative speech is to make your audience aware of new information. An example would be a speech that instructs the listener on how to do something.
• Persuasive speech . A persuasive speech attempts to motivate the listener to perform an action or make a purchase. An example would be a sales presentation.
• Speech given for entertainment . Speeches are often given to entertain the audience. For example, you may be asked to give a toast celebrating the accomplishments of a colleague who has been promoted.

Of course, some speeches serve more than one purpose. So, you could have a speech that's meant to be somewhat entertaining, but that's also intended to persuade the audience.

Some people are uncomfortable with certain types of speeches. For example, many people struggle with persuasive speeches because they're uncomfortable selling. Others have trouble with speeches that are meant to be humorous.

Whatever type of speech you've been asked to give, you'll do better (and be more confident) if you're adequately prepared--starting with the research and writing step.

2. How to Create a Well-Researched, Well-Written Speech

Once you've chosen a speech topic that fits your need, you're ready to create a speech you can be confident to give. Here are three steps to help you research and write your speech:

Step 1. Study Your Subject

To feel confident in your material, be sure to research your topic well. If you're not as familiar with the topic as you would like to be, you'll have to find out more information. Here are just some possible sources of information:

• Internet. There's a wealth of information available online. Unfortunately, there's also some inaccurate data out there. Make sure that you know how to recognize credible information when you see it.
• Libraries . Libraries are a great resource for printed materials and many have Internet access as well. An added bonus to using a library is that many libraries have a reference librarian who can guide you to the materials you need.
• Your company records .   If you're giving a speech for your company, be sure to ask for any records and other materials that are relevant to your topic.
• Other people . In some instances, you'll need to interview other people to gather information. Before meeting with your sources, be sure to prepare by having a list of specific questions ready to ask them.

Once you've collected the information you need, it's time to organize it.

Step 2. Organize Your Information

Once you've gathered your data, it's time to start organizing it. Put it in order from the most important to the least important and eliminate any information that's not really related to your topic.

You may find it helpful to create an outline at this point. Your outline doesn't have to be complex. For example, your outline could like something like this:

• Title. Make it catchy to get your audience's attention.
• Introduction . This just needs to be a few sentences explaining what your speech is about.
• A list of main ideas . For shorter speeches, three points may be enough.
• Conclusion . This is a few sentences that explain what your speech is about.

Now, you're ready to start writing your speech. Follow your outline. Start with the introduction, add your main points, and then write your conclusion. Remember that your introduction needs to grab your audience's attention. Your conclusion should include a call to action--especially if you're giving a persuasive speech.

Also, if you'll be using slides to give your presentation, remember that slides are most effective if there's not a lot of text on them. So, write your material using short phrases.

For even more detailed information on how to write an effective presentation, you can grab our free ebook: The Complete Guide to Making Great Presentations , which details the presentation-writing process from start to finish.

Now that you've written your speech, you'll want to give some thought to how you'll present it.

Step 3. Copy Your Speech Into a Professional Presentation Tool

While there may be some instances when a professional presentation tool isn't available or appropriate, for most situations a presentation tool can help make your public speaking process easier. Many presentation tools, such as  Google Slides  or  PowerPoint , even include tools like speaker notes and the ability to add audio or video that will help make your speech more interesting.

If you'll be using a presentation tool to give your speech, consider using a professional template to ensure that the appearance of your presentation makes a good impression on your audience.

How your presentation material looks is important. If your presentation design is unprofessional or sloppy, it may affect how your audience perceives your speech. Plus, you'll feel better and be more confident if you know that your presentation looks good.

You can find some great-looking presentation templates at  Envato Elements  or  GraphicRiver . For a closer look at some top professional presentation templates, look at these articles:

Once you find a template you like, you're ready to download it and start using it to make the speech you've written more visually attractive. These tutorials can help you learn more about using templates to create your speech:

Also, don't forget to add images to your presentation to illustrate your points. Graphs, charts, and photographs are all effective ways to hold your audience's attention. Plus, a good image can actually help your listener understand your points better.

3. How to Improve Your Speaking Skills Through Practice

Now that you've researched your topic, written your speech, and incorporated it into a professional tool you're ready to give your speech--right? Wrong!

You won't really be able to speak confidently in public unless you're familiar with your material. One of the most important factors in how to speak with confidence is delivery. And the best way to deliver a speech with confidence is through practice.

So, practice giving your speech. The better you know your speech, the more confident you'll be. So, say your speech over and over.

Memorize your speech if you can, but if you can't remember that your presentation tool likely has speaker notes. If you won't be using a professional presentation tool, it's okay to create some note cards that you can glance it from time to time. But don't plan on reading your speech verbatim from a piece of paper.

As you practice, pay attention to factors such as:

• How fast you talk . Inexperienced speakers often speak too quickly, making it difficult for their listeners to understand. Practice speaking slowly (but not too slowly) and clearly.
• Your breathing . Some speakers hold their breath if they get nervous. If you struggle with this problem, plan breathing breaks that seem natural. Experiment with this during your practice sessions.
• Eliminate unneeded fillers . Get rid of unnecessary words such as um, uh, like, and similar phrases. While it's common to add these phrases into your speech as you talk, they make you look nervous and less confident. 
• Your posture . Your posture is another factor that can affect whether you're perceived as being confident. Stand up straight, in a way that feels relaxed and natural for you.
• Body language . It's okay to move a little as you speak. Make hand gestures if that's natural for you--just don't overdo it. However, be careful not to pace unnaturally or make too many uncontrolled gestures.

It's good to practice your speech several times in front of a mirror if you can. That way you can see any bad habits you might have.  If you can find a friend who will watch you practice, that's even better. They can alert to any bad speaking habits you might not be aware of. Another option is to make a video of one of your practice speeches so that you can see any mistakes you're making and correct them.

You'll find that the more you practice your speech, the better you'll get. You'll be more comfortable with it because you practiced--gaining confidence in public speaking.

4. How to Speak in Public Confidently

Now that you've learned how to speak with confidence through adequate preparation, it's time to actually give your speech.

There are some steps you can take on the day of your speech to help it go more smoothly.

On the day of your speech:

• Imagine your speech is over and that it was a great success.
• Dress professionally in an outfit that makes you feel good about yourself.
• Arrive at the location where you're going to give your speech early.
• Make sure your equipment is in good working order.

During your speech:

• Remember, you've practiced. You've got this. You can do it.
• Give your speech just the way you practiced it.
• Engage the audience by asking them questions.
• If your speech is particularly long, give the audience a break halfway through it.
• Keep going, even if you make a mistake. Odds are your audience didn't even notice.

Our free ebook on making presentations,  The Complete Guide to Making Great Presentations , , has even more tips on how to be confident in speaking publicly.

5. Learn More About How to Speak in Public

If public speaking is something you do often or just something you're interested in learning more about, study one or more of the following tutorials to learn even more:

Make Great Presentations ( Free PDF eBook Download )

We also have the perfect complement to this tutorial, which will walk you through the complete presentation process. Learn how to write your presentation, design it like a pro, and prepare it to present powerfully. 

Download our new eBook:  The Complete Guide to Making Great Presentations . It's available for free with a subscription to the Tuts+ Business Newsletter.

Although you may fear giving a speech, you can learn how to speak with confidence by following the advice above. Now that you you've learned how to talk confidently in public, you're ready to give a successful presentation. Good luck!

Editorial Note: This content was originally published in 2018. We're sharing it again because our editors have determined that this information is still accurate and relevant.

How to Be Confident in Public Speaking: 9 Ways to Boost Your Confidence

Jun 18, 2024 | Blog

In the past, I had big dreams, but a lack of confidence in public speaking held me back in my career. I wanted to help a lot of people, work with interesting companies and share my ideas far and wide. I wanted to make a great living and have the freedom to work on projects I loved.⁠ ⁠But I struggled with the question of how to be confident in public speaking.

A fear of public speaking , networking and any kind of speaking publicly or even ‘putting myself out there’ used to be so exhausting and stressful to me that I’d often decide it wasn’t worth it.⁠ ⁠Before I had to speak, my hands would shake, my heart would race and I’d feel myself getting hot and flustered. I’d sometimes be nervous for weeks before a talk or job interview. And I’d try to avoid it at all costs.

A fear of failure or rejection left me paralysed.⁠ ⁠And a sense that I wasn’t good enough made it hard for me to enjoy my work.⁠ ⁠

A few years ago I knew I needed to change if I wanted to play a bigger game, and learn how to confidently speak in public so I decided to work on my public speaking confidence and boost my self confidence.

It soon paid off and these days I’ve learned to enjoy public speaking.

I started putting myself forward for things instead of holding myself back. I started my podcast. I became more visible on social media. Pitched myself for PR. Started running live workshops to a couple of hundred people at a time. Doing talks for incredible companies like Stella McCartney and American Express. And networking and meeting more new people.⁠ ⁠ ⁠

Yes, the idea of standing in front of an audience can be daunting. But it is possible to overcome the fear and step into more confidence.

How to speak confidently in public

Our confidence grows when we meet mindset work with practice and action taking. You’ll start to see real change by working on your inner confidence and then putting yourself out there to flex your confidence muscles.

How to be a confident public speaker

If you’re looking to turn your nervous energy into a dynamic presentation, here are nine highly effective strategies to boost your communication skills and confidence in public speaking.

1. Start with a funny story

Starting a speech with a funny story can be highly effective for several reasons. Firstly, it captures the audience’s attention right from the beginning, setting a positive tone for the rest of the speech. Humour also makes you seem more relatable and approachable, helping to break down barriers and foster a connection with the audience. Making others laugh will also put you at ease, reducing any anxiety and nerves. Another way to make an audience laugh is to swear! I don’t know why but a few swear words woven in seems to tickle people. Obviously don’t swear if you’re doing a talk in a formal setting as this may not go down well with management!

2. Embrace Mindfulness Techniques

Mindfulness isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a powerful tool to manage public speaking anxiety . Before your next speech, try a simple breathing exercise : take slow, deliberate breaths into your belly for a couple of minutes to centre your thoughts and calm your nerves . Try focusing on the feeling of air as it passed through your nostrils, or the rise and fall of your belly when you breathe. Research shows that such mindfulness exercises can significantly reduce stress. Speaking slowly helps you not only to communicate effectively but to appear more confident and self assured.

2. Utilise Power Poses for Better Body Language

Understanding the importance of body language and confident body language is key in public speaking, as it significantly affects how your message is received and your own confidence levels. Amy Cuddy’s famous research on power poses suggests that holding a pose that opens up your body can help you feel more confident . Before you take the stage or before a big presentation, spend a few minutes in a power pose—stand tall with your hands on your hips and your chin tilted upward. This could boost your presence as you speak, giving you more confidence. While the exact results discussed in Cuddy’s Ted Talk were not replicable, many people report feeling more confident after power posing.

3. Practice Vocal Variability

Think about how TV presenters or those with big social media followings speak online, with enthusiasm and a lot of variation in their voice. They’re far from monotone. Changing your pitch, tone, and volume can capture and hold your audience’s attention whilst making you sound confident. Practice speaking with variations in speed and volume; record yourself and listen to see how it impacts the delivery of your message. You could try doing some vocal warm up exercises like these to warm up your voice. La la la laaaa!

4. Master the Art of Pausing

Get comfortable with silences! Those that lack confidence often rush through their speech, trying to get it over with as soon as possible. Strategic pauses during your presentation can enhance understanding and retention for your audience. They give you gravitas. Use pauses after important points to let the information sink in, or to build anticipation before revealing key details. Emphasising key points with confidence is essential in retaining the audience’s attention and ensuring your message is heard. Pausing also give you a chance to take a deep breath, which also helps you to relax.

5. Develop a Pre-Speech Routine

Create a set routine before you speak in public: this might include reviewing your notes, practicing your speech once, or performing a vocal warm-up. Maybe there are relaxing essential oils you can inhale, or a certain song you can play to boost your confidence. Consistency in your preparation can make you feel more prepared and less anxious.

6. Engage in Mental Rehearsal

Visualise your public speaking event going well. Imagine yourself speaking confidently, your audience reacting positively, and you handling questions with ease. Sports psychologists widely recommend this technique to enhance athletic performance, and it can work wonders for public speakers too. This process can transform a nervous speaker into a confident public speaker, even introverts can become confident public speakers who speak effectively with the right mindset and preparation.

7. Record and Review Your Speeches

This may make you cringe, but it’s an important step. Recording your practices or actual performances can provide critical insights. From watching a video back of myself being interviewed on a podcast, I realised that I was making a weird claw with one of my hands, something I made a point of not doing in the future! Reviewing these recordings can help you notice patterns, such as unnecessary fillers or gestures, and improve upon them.

8. Seek Constructive Feedback

After practicing or delivering a speech, ask peers, mentors, or audience members for feedback to improve your communication skills. Make sure it’s detailed and constructive, focusing on both strengths and areas for improvement. Reminding yourself of the positive feedback can help you to feel confident about your next speaking event.

9. Challenge yourself

When I was overcoming a fear of public speaking , I did things to purposefully go outside of my comfort zone. I did sober karaoke in a restaurant, and would challenge myself to always be the first to speak up or ask a question in a group. Organisations like Toastmasters provide a supportive environment where you can practice public speaking and receive structured, peer feedback. Regularly putting yourself in situations where you can practice in a low-stress environment builds familiarity and reduces anxiety. Participating in public speaking events are excellent ways to gain experience and observe effective techniques in action. You could also try improv classes or stand up comedy classes as ways to challenge yourself. Doing something outside of your comfort zone and seeing yourself survive builds confidence because you realise you are capable of improving your presentation skills .

In Conclusion

Public speaking is a skill, and like any skill, it gets better with practice. By incorporating these advanced techniques into your routine, you’ll not only improve your speaking abilities but also increase your overall confidence. Avoiding common pitfalls that can cause you to lose confidence is crucial in maintaining the audience’s interest and doing your presentation confidently.

Remember, every speaker has room for improvement, so keep practicing and pushing your boundaries . Public speaking skills are invaluable, not only for career advancement but also for improving confidence in everyday life.

Public speaking courses like Speak Easy offer targeted strategies to overcome anxiety and become a more effective public speaker.

Frequently asked questions

How can i gain confidence to speak in public.

Gaining confidence to speak in public involves preparation, practice, and positive mindset shifts. Start by thoroughly preparing your material and practicing in front of a mirror or with friends and family. Visualization techniques can also help; imagine yourself speaking confidently and receiving positive feedback. Additionally, use positive affirmations to boost your self-esteem and reduce anxiety. Joining a public speaking group, like Toastmasters, can provide a supportive environment to practice and receive constructive feedback, further building your confidence.

How to speak confidently in public?

To speak confidently in public, focus on your breathing to stay calm and maintain a steady pace. Make eye contact with your audience to build a connection and use natural gestures to emphasise your points. Practice your speech multiple times to become familiar with the content and reduce reliance on notes. Start with a strong opening to grab attention and use pauses effectively to allow your audience to absorb your message. Remember to smile and project your voice clearly. Confidence often comes from feeling prepared and comfortable with your material, so invest time in practice and preparation.

What makes a confident public speaker?

A confident public speaker is someone who is well-prepared, engages with their audience, and maintains a calm and composed demeanor. They make eye contact, use effective body language, and speak clearly and at a steady pace. Confidence comes from practice and familiarity with the content, allowing the speaker to focus on delivery rather than worrying about what to say next. They also handle unexpected situations gracefully, whether it’s a question from the audience or a technical glitch. Confidence is also reflected in their ability to project their voice and convey their message with conviction.

Why do I lack confidence in public speaking?

Lack of confidence in public speaking often stems from fear of judgment, past negative experiences, or lack of preparation. Many people worry about making mistakes, forgetting their lines, or being negatively evaluated by their audience. This fear can be heightened by a lack of experience or negative feedback from previous speaking engagements. Additionally, personal insecurities or a perfectionist mindset can contribute to anxiety. Overcoming these fears involves addressing the underlying causes, such as building self-esteem, practicing regularly, and developing a positive mindset towards public speaking.

How do I improve my speaking confidence?

Improving speaking confidence involves several steps. First, prepare thoroughly by researching your topic and organizing your material clearly. Practice regularly, both alone and in front of others, to become comfortable with your content. Use relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or visualization to manage anxiety. Positive affirmations can help build self-confidence, and joining a public speaking group can provide a supportive environment for practice. Additionally, seek feedback from trusted friends or mentors and work on specific areas for improvement. Over time, these practices will help you build confidence and become a more effective speaker.

How to speak in public without fear?

Speaking in public without fear starts with changing your mindset and preparing thoroughly. Begin by acknowledging your fear and understanding that it’s a common experience. Use deep breathing exercises to stay calm and focused. Practice your speech multiple times to build familiarity and confidence in your material. Visualise yourself speaking confidently and receiving positive feedback. Start with smaller audiences to gradually build your comfort level. Engaging in public speaking workshops or groups like Toastmasters can also provide valuable practice and support. Over time, consistent practice and positive reinforcement will help reduce fear and increase your confidence in public speaking.

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How to Speak with Confidence & Captivate Your Audience

Do you ever look at someone – a public speaker, a politician, even a friend– and think “wow, they are confident?” 

Confidence is a trait we admire in others and grieve the absence of in ourselves. While some people are born with innate confidence and charisma, the rest of us are left wondering how they sound confident so naturally.

But, the great thing about confidence is that it’s a skill that we can all easily acquire.

As all the best public speakers and politicians and friends know, confidence is as much about appearance and image as it is about feeling confident within one’s self. So where better to start honing your confidence than in your own voice, one of the most important tools you have to give others a good impression of yourself?

Why You Should Always Aim to Speak with Confidence

Consider some of the best speakers in the world. What makes them great? Is it their knowledge, their ability to communicate their message, their passion? Are they great at keeping their audience engaged? Are they good at storytelling?

While the answer to all of those questions is likely to be a “yes,” I’ll give you one of the most important characteristics that makes them all great speakers.

Their confidence.

Confidence is not a revolutionary concept. You probably didn’t faint from the shock upon hearing “confidence.” But the reason this is not surprising is that this is a well-known and very utilized characteristic in all leader types.

Most of the best public speakers excel in sounding confident. They understand that if they sound nervous or come off as timid or unprepared, their entire speech may feel inauthentic and uncredible.

They dedicate a significant amount of time to practice, a skill that helps them get rid of any lingering stage anxiety.  

So, if you aim to be a great speaker, you must speak with a confident tone and strong belief in yourself.

If you want your message to reach and stick with your audience, you must say it with confidence.

That’s the secret to how the world’s best speakers do it.   

10 Tips to Help You Find More Confidence When Presenting

As someone who has been a public speaker for over four decades now, I have learned a trick or two about how to give great presentations.

How to build confidence is a big one.

Here are some tips I have personally used that can help you develop more confidence in both your personal and professional communication.

These tips will help you present your report to your team or present your research at a TedTalk – with confidence. Utilize these tools next time you need to get your message across.

You will be happy you did.

One of the biggest keys to effective to building confidence as a public speaker is simply to practice speaking. You’ve heard the saying a million times: “Practice makes perfect” – but I am here to tell you that practice actually makes progress.

You will notice how much more confident and self-assured you sound as you go through your presentation again and again. 

Even if you believe your speech is perfect, practicing will help you feel more comfortable and certain in your delivery.

The more you practice, the more you build your confidence as a speaker. You can record yourself or practice with friends to get honest feedback. If you want to advance your public speaking skills even further, check out my blog on public speaking tips.

Plus, you may learn new things from one presentation to the next – things that could be helpful to incorporate into your next speech in order to deliver your message as confidently and effectively as possible.

Present to a Trusted Audience First

A great way to build confidence is by practicing in front of a trusted audience before presenting your message on the main stage. This allows you to get more comfortable speaking to an audience while getting honest and constructive feedback about your presentation.

By utilizing your network of friends, family, coworkers, and so on, you can run through your presentation without feeling nervous or worrying that you will mess up when it comes to presenting in front of your actual audience. This will allow you to practice your eye contact and body language for your performance.

Your trusted audience will act as a sounding board for how you can improve your presentation. They may express that you need to touch more on your important points, use a more confident voice, fewer filler words , more eye contact, fewer pauses, and so forth.

These comments can help you visualize your speech from the audience’s perspective and incorporate their feedback for the real thing.

Practicing in front of your trusted audience will help you feel more relaxed and confident. Public speaking can be scary, but don’t forget to take a deep breath and keep calm!

Believe in Yourself

A phrase that is displayed in many offices, homes, and Facebook walls – “Believe in yourself.” A common encouraging statement that is especially useful for confidence-building. In order to be great at public speaking, or anything else for that matter, you must believe in yourself, your message, and your abilities.

Believing in yourself applies to multiple facets. Firstly, you must believe in your message. This may be findings from research you have done or a new tool you hope to implement in your company – you must believe in whatever you are presenting.

You are the expert here, and people are looking to you for encouragement, advice, or knowledge. You must believe in what you are hoping the audience will believe in.

Secondly, you have to believe in your ability to deliver your message. Even if you are nervous or afraid, you must believe that you can do it.

Most great speakers will tell you that they were terrified when they first started presenting, but a trick they learned was, “fake it until you make it.” Is it your first presentation and you are freaking out?

Pretend it’s not! Imagine that you have done this a thousand times before and you’re a pro. Keep smiling, stay relaxed, smile, and just go for it – you can do it. And when you believe you can do speak confidently , you’ll sound more confident naturally to your audience.

If either of these criteria is not met, that will come through in your speech. You must believe in yourself in order to be confident and authentic in your presentation.

Stay Healthy

This tip may feel obvious, but your health is very important to your level of confidence

You know how it feels when you are sick; you are groggy, tired, congested, etc. You have a hard time focusing or being productive. You fall behind on tasks you need to complete.

That’s why keeping your health up is so important for your confidence (and your vocal cords!)

Staying hydrated is one of the best ways to make sure your voice and vocal cords are always “public speaker ready,” and well make you sound more confident.

Studies show that how hydrated you are has a direct effect on the sound of your voice—the more hydrated you are, the more clear and strong your voice sounds. That’s why whenever you hear a dehydrated character in a movie, their voice always sounds weak and raspy!

The key to staying hydrated and feeling confident in your voice is to not wait until right before your speech to start drinking.

Hydration takes time. Keeping yourself hydrated should start at least a couple of hours leading up to your speech – if not always! Staying hydrated ensures that your mouth and throat are properly lubricated so that you can speak articulately and smoothly. 

Staying healthy and hydrated will keep your mind and body sharp. If you stay hydrated, eat healthily, exercise, get a good night’s sleep, you will ultimately feel good. And feeling good is a great confidence booster!

The better you feel on the inside, the more confidence you’ll be able to muster up on the outside.

Seek Growth from Critique

You may give dozens of great speeches, but you will always remember the one that didn’t go as planned. You will dwell on it or even beat yourself up about it.

We tend to fixate on the things that went wrong, and that’s totally normal. How you grow from that experience will determine how much you will develop and succeed.

I’m here to tell you that even your mistakes can help you gain confidence. Even if something went wrong, there is no need to feel distressed or defeated. Instead, use that mistake as an opportunity for growth. It’s a perfect time to seek feedback and comments that can help you improve the next time.  Even the best thought leaders evolve over time, so don’t be afraid to listen to your criticism, you may just grow from it.

Usually, people will be encouraging about your speech. They will tell you what they liked and what kept them engaged. If they have a negative critique, do not take it personally.

Though it’s an initial ego-deflator, you can use negative critique as a vertical for knowledge and growth. Each comment will plant a seed in your mind that you can focus on for future speeches.

If your mistake was forgetting a line and looking panicked, you can practice how to stay calm in instances like that. You can also make sure to take more time to memorize all your important points the next time around.

Every point of critique is an opportunity to learn and grow. The more you view critique in that manner, the more confidence you can gain through every negative comment. 

Use Visuals

You know what they say: a picture is worth 1000 words.

Visual aids, such as pictures, charts, graphs, infographics, help engage your audience as well as reinforce your points. Considering 65% of the population are visual learners, visual aids can enhance the presentation and help them retain the information.

By including visual content, you’re increasing the percentage of people who will remember your message long after the presentation is over.

Visual aids help you emphasize your important points and keep your audience engaged. Especially if you are just starting out in your public speaking journey, having visual aids will give you something to lean on and divert focus to when you are nervous.

The audience’s attention will be at the screen for a moment, giving you time to take a deep breath and stay relaxed.

Once you feel confident as a speaker, you may not even need visual aids. You will feel comfortable and confident enough to speak to your audience without them.

Keep the Presentation Moving

The show must go on, right?

That’s what anyone who has ever been on stage knows to be true.

As much as we want to, we cannot control everything. Sometimes, things don’t go our way – there can be technical difficulties, venue issues, audience mishaps — whatever it is, being prepared for the uncertain can help you keep the show moving.

If you’ve ever seen a presentation go awry, you have noticed that a great public speaker will keep their cool and find humor in the situation.

Their body language will remain relaxed, they won’t lose their focus, they will keep smiling and holding eye contact with their audience, and find a way to make light of the situation. This type of engaging behavior will ease the awkwardness of the situation.

This type of level of confidence is gained through practice. You can enhance your public speaking by practicing your backup plan in moments when things aren’t going according to plan. Knowing how to handle a critical situation will help you feel more relaxed and confident throughout your entire presentation.

Even if you stumble, forget a line, experience a technical difficulty, or so forth, your ability to move the presentation along despite hiccups will demonstrate your confidence.

Keeping your presentation moving will show your audience that even though things don’t always go as planned, you remain confident and prepared for anything.

Avoid Filler Words

So, like… umm… yeah.

Filler words.

The um’s and uh’s and er’s that litter many of our conversations. Although these little words don’t add meaning to your statements, they do perform a function in conversations.

They allow you to take a second and think about what you’re going to say next. They let the person you are having a conversation with know that you’re not quite finished speaking yet, even if you’ve paused for a moment.

While typically acceptable in normal conversations, filler words can be detrimental to public speaking. Using a filler word may make it sound like you have forgotten what you’re about to say next. They break your audience’s attention from your message.

Instead of using filler words in your speeches, you should practice embracing the power of the pause.

All great public speakers are masters of the pause. They are comfortable with silences. When they are moving on to the next point or holding for dramatic effect, they take a deep breath, stay relaxed and keep smiling before saying anything. They know that the pause is a key part of good public speaking.

Since we use filler words so often, cutting them from your vernacular and replacing them with pauses may feel unnatural.

That’s why it’s so important to practice your presenting. Practice a few rounds of your presentation focusing heavily on the filler words. Once actively focus on the filler words, you will notice how much, or how little, you say them. Then, actively catch yourself in the moment and use a pause to replace it.

That pause will show your audience that you are confident in your speaking abilities, and keep them engaged in your presentation.

Experiment with Your Tone of Voice

Whenever you hear a great public speaker or storyteller, you notice how their tone and loudness fluctuate throughout their speech.

They use their tone to convey mood or emphasize an important point. They may use a lower, deeper tone when describing a problem. They will then switch to speaking loudly, in a higher, more optimistic tone when describing how the problem was solved.

This type of tone fluctuation allows them to influence the emotions of their audience and keep them engaged throughout their presentation.

The tone of your presentation should always match the subject matter you are discussing, which will add to you sounding confident during your entire presentation.

If you have a hopeful message, keep your tone light. If you want your audience to consider a serious topic, you can use a moodier tone. It’s all about playing up the important points in your message.

Practicing playing with tone can be a huge confidence booster. Even if you know the contents of your presentation like the back of your hand, you can utilize tone to create emphasis and intrigue where needed. Your audience will see you as more confident when you can get through your speech without making it feel like you read it from a paper.

Dress for Success

Look good, feel good, speak…even better!

Dressing for success means a few things in this situation: the way we dress in order to feel like our best, and how we should dress when presenting.

Let’s discuss dressing for ourselves first. As it turns out, the way we dress impacts how we feel about ourselves – even the way we judge our own abilities. In a 2012 paper by Hajo Adam and Adam Galinsky, the idea of “enclothed cognition,” was studied. This study was to determine whether our clothes affect our thoughts

In one particular experiment, participants wore either a doctor’s coat or a painter’s coat and were asked to perform tasks. Those who wore the doctor’s coat performed significantly better at completing the task.

Wonder why that is? The research behind enclothed cognition suggests that it’s not so much about what we wear, but what we think about what we wear.

So even if you don’t have a doctor’s coat to throw on for your presentation, it is important that you wear the clothing that you feel the most comfortable and confident in!

Now we move into dressing the part. Even though your audience is there to listen to what you have to say, it’s very important to dress the part. While we now know how important it is to dress in something you feel comfortable and confident in, it must also align with the tone and theme of your presentation.

For example, if your presentation is about how to find balance in life, wearing a full-pressed suit may not be the best choice since the topic of the conversation is more casual and inclusive. You want to look and sound like you have found balance in your own life. A better outfit option for that speech could be a nice pair of slacks and a button-down.

If you are presenting something more formal and the event is corporate, a suit may be the way to go.

As long as you feel confident in that suit, of course.

Feeling good and looking the part when presenting will help you feel more confident and boost your stage presence. Just make sure that whatever you do wear is also comfortable to keep you worry-free during the presentation and will allow you to use body language naturally and without restriction or wardrobe malfunction.

Looking for the ultimate guide to public speaking, including everything from picking a speech topic to taking your public speaking international? Check out this blog on everything you need to know about public speaking.

With these tools, your ability to speak with confidence will grow exponentially. If you are looking for a course that helps you put these tips into action, check out my, “Speak Like A Leader,” course! Here, you will learn everything you need to know on how to use your words and your message to lead.

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About Brian Tracy — Brian is recognized as the top sales training and personal success authority in the world today. He has authored more than 60 books and has produced more than 500 audio and video learning programs on sales, management, business success and personal development, including worldwide bestseller The Psychology of Achievement. Brian's goal is to help you achieve your personal and business goals faster and easier than you ever imagined. You can follow him on Twitter , Facebook , Pinterest , Linkedin and Youtube .

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How to speak confidently in public: Virtuozo's top public speaking tips

Whether it's getting up in front of an audience of 1,000 guests or ten overworked employees, public speaking can be unnerving. Michael Weitz and Abigail Tenembaum, founders of Virtuozo, coach everyone from TED speakers to CEOs to express their message effectively.

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"It's like a musical instrument, everybody can learn with enough practice," says Tenembaum. This is their advice for getting your point across.

How to speak confidently in public

"One thing that is critical is knowing your key message," says Tenembaum. "It sounds simple but often articulating the idea in a concise way is the hardest thing." Once you understand your point, it will be easier to express it. Also understand who your audience is: a common mistake is to put yourself as the audience. Instead, think about who they are at that exact moment. "Even the same audience is different at 9am on a Monday than it is after a long day of presentations at 5pm."

Look at them, don't stare, but speak directly to them and check they are staying engaged. "A lot of people launch into their message and don't check back in with the audience until they're done," says Weitz, when instead your attention should be on them the entire time. "It's more than eye contact," he adds. "Make sure they're engaged, and if they aren't, adjust." That might mean throwing aside the PowerPoint , or adding in a personal anecdote if your message can go off-script.

Don't think about your words. "If you ask attendees of TED talks what drives them crazy, it's when speakers talk like they're reciting a memorised text," says Weitz. "They want the speaker to be speaking directly to them." Don't get bogged down trying to recall your talk word for word. "Remember, people don't know what you've prepared," says Tenembaum, explaining that people are impressed by passion, emotion and data. "They don't care about the words, they care about the meaning."

Words should not get in the way of your message. Don't use jargon: your audience will not relate to obscure language . "As an audience, we tend to notice written language as opposed to spoken language," says Tenembaum, so using words more at home in a textbook will isolate you. Speak slowly and assertively. "If you speak fast in a low voice, your impact will not be what it could have been." And practice; just reciting the beginning and the end will improve your presentation.

If you have a sudden memory lapse, don't panic. "Most people will put their foot on the accelerator," says Weitz. "But do the opposite, put your foot on the brake. Take a moment, take a breath. The audience will think you are making a dramatic point." As long as your eyes stay on the audience, and not the ceiling or the floor, they will be none the wiser. "You're in a different time zone from the audience," says Weitz, so 30 seconds might seem like minutes to you, but will breeze by for the audience.

When you pace up and down the stage it's distracting to the audience. "You need to give a nice clear signal that the audience can tune into," says Weitz. "And pacing around or meandering can take away from that strong signal." Instead, think about the key points you are going to make and move to emphasise them. "Turn to somebody else in the room after a key point to make it more dramatic," suggests Weitz, "or walk to a different part of the stage if you want a change of energy."

"Michael says that hands are the analogue version of PowerPoint," says Tenembaum. But you shouldn't plan your movements like you would your slides. "When we are explaining things our body will naturally make gestures that can enhance our communication abilities," says Weitz, "and that can enhance the way people understand things." Try not to focus too much on it; it's like breathing - when you think about it, it becomes irregular, but when you don't, it happens naturally.

"Everything sends a message," says Tenembaum. "Not just the words you're saying." So be aware of your body language as it can put a barrier between you and the audience. And if what you're saying conflicts with your body language, the audience will notice something is out of sync. "When we receive a message, we tend to lean more towards the body language," says Tenembaum. "If a manager tells his team he trusts them with his arms crossed, it's likely his message won't get through."

Make sure that your tone reiterates the point you are making. "Tone gives meaning," says Tenembaum. If you give a statistic - for example, sales went up by 35 per cent - the tone will reveal whether that is positive or negative. It can also switch up the tempo. "Our brain is an efficient machine that will try to save energy," says Tenembaum, "so it will go into power-save mode if it can." Bring variety to your tone, pace and the content to keep away from being monotone.

This article was originally published in WIRED magazine in August 2015.

This article was originally published by WIRED UK

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How to Speak Well and Confidently

Last Updated: February 19, 2023 Approved

Building Confidence

Speaking eloquently, maintaining presence.

This article was co-authored by Amy Chapman, MA . Amy Chapman MA, CCC-SLP is a vocal therapist and singing voice specialist. Amy is a licensed and board certified speech & language pathologist who has dedicated her career to helping professionals improve and optimize their voice. Amy has lectured on voice optimization, speech, vocal health, and voice rehabilitation at universities across California, including UCLA, USC, Chapman University, Cal Poly Pomona, CSUF, CSULA. Amy is trained in Lee Silverman Voice Therapy, Estill, LMRVT, and is a part of the American Speech and Hearing Association. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 33 testimonials and 95% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 1,018,263 times.

Good communication is the key to success, whether you're speaking in front of a large audience or trying to get a point across to a new friend. If you want to know how to speak well and confidently, you've got to believe in yourself, speak slowly and carefully, and have strong convictions about what you're saying. If you want to know how to sound intelligent and thoughtful when you speak, then see Step 1 to get started.

Tip: It's all in how you say it. If you start a sentence by saying, "I think that…" Or, "But maybe…" then nothing you say afterwards will sound as forceful as it would have if you just made the statement.

• Look people in the eyes when you talk to them - you can look away for a moment or two to get your footing, but in general, stay focused on the eyes of the people you're talking to.
• If you see someone looking confused or concerned when you're speaking, you may even think about whether or not you're being clear enough. However, you shouldn't let one confused person get you off track.
• If you're talking to a larger group where it's difficult to really make eye contact, focus on looking at just a few people in the audience.

• Plan appropriately.
• Engage with your audience.
• Pay attention to body language.
• Think and speak positively.
• Cope with your nerves. [3] X Research source
• Watch recordings of your speeches. This will help you to improve each time.

• If you really want to know the room, you can also show up on a day before your actual speaking engagement to get a sense of what it's like.

• This way, when it's time for your big moment, remember what you visualized -- how can you get there?

• One of the reasons people get nervous when speaking is because they don't like the unknown; that's why you have to gather as much information as possible.

• Have great posture
• Avoid slouching
• Don't fidget with your hands
• Avoid pacing around too much
• Look ahead of you instead of down at the floor
• Keep your face and body relaxed

• If you will leave some time for questions after your speech, you can practice giving it to a friend in advance; have the friend ask some tough questions to help yourself prepare for what may come.

• If you can't think of anything you'd want to praise yourself for, then you'll need to work on boosting your confidence. Build your self-esteem by focusing on something you're good at, addressing your flaws, and spending time with the people who really care about you and make you feel good about yourself.

• If you speak in a low voice, not only will others not be able to hear what you say, but you will also portray a submissive demeanor, which suggests the opposite of a confident one.
• On the other hand, you don't want to speak so loudly that you're talking over people just to be heard. Your words alone should get people's attention.

• This doesn't mean that you have to throw fifty $100 words into your speeches or everyday conversations every time. Just a few key "fancy" words can make you sound more intelligent, but not like you're trying too hard.
• Keep a vocabulary journal. Write down all of the new words you've encountered while reading and define them.

• Of course, if you're just speaking with friends, then slang is fine, but if you're addressing a more mature audience and want to speak well, then you should avoid it.

• If you use verbal pauses (such as "um" or "uh") while you speak, don't be too worried about it. It's just a natural way of getting our minds into gear and even President Obama uses them quite frequently. If you think you use them too much, you can try to tone it down, but don't think that you have to avoid them completely.

• If you're giving a speech, then write it down and say it aloud. Reading your own words can help you see where you're being repetitive, and which things you'd like to cut.

• Think about writing an essay. You have to repeat your main points at the end of every paragraph and in your conclusion, don't you? Well, speaking is not so different.

• Tell a story or two. If you're giving a speech, a story at the beginning or the end can help introduce your points in a more human way.

• You can also develop a routine for talking to friends. Find something that calms you down when you're nervous about speaking, whether it's grabbing a Koosh ball in your coat pocket or smiling a bit more.

Community Q&A

• Pauses may seem as though you are forgetful or you don't know what to say while you are speaking, but in reality, they can be used to grab the audience's attention. If people are losing interest in your speech, or you need to emphasize something, just take a pause! Thanks Helpful 11 Not Helpful 0
• It's important to dress appropriately. Always wear clothes that suit your figure. Don't be afraid to dress it up a little too. Thanks Helpful 10 Not Helpful 1
• Practice really does make perfect. If you're giving a speech, then rehearsing it in advance will help you sound clear and confident on the big day. Thanks Helpful 12 Not Helpful 4

• Remember that there is a fine line between confidence and arrogance. Don't portray an exaggerated amount of confidence, or you will come off as arrogant and overconfident. There's nothing worse than coming across as believing that your ideas are better than the ideas of everyone else. Thanks Helpful 14 Not Helpful 0
• In addition to speaking your own ideas, do not forget to listen to the ideas of others too! Otherwise, others may find you to be self-centered, and you will lose the benefit of their valuable opinions. Thanks Helpful 9 Not Helpful 1

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• ↑ https://mannerofspeaking.org/2012/03/15/speak-with-conviction/
• ↑ https://socialself.com/blog/confident-eye-contact/
• ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/adaptation/201811/conquer-your-fear-public-speaking-these-5-tips-0
• ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/click-here-happiness/201901/positive-affirmations-11-keys-affirmations-work
• ↑ http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/volume-public-speaker/
• ↑ Amy Chapman, MA. Voice & Speech Coach. Expert Interview. 18 October 2019.
• ↑ https://www.huffpost.com/entry/confident-public-speaking_n_4058830
• ↑ https://www.businessinsider.com/9-techniques-to-delivering-a-speech-with-confidence-2011-3

About This Article

If you want to learn how to speak well and confidently, follow these 6 steps: Step 1: Write concise notes outlining your speech. Don’t try to write out your entire talk – just make notes that cover your most important points. Bring your notes with you on the day of your presentation for reference. Step 2: Practice your speech frequently. You’ll feel more confident if you know what you’re going to say, and how you will say it. It’s a good idea to practice in front of a mirror to work on making eye contact and using gestures effectively. If you are able, present your talk to a small group of family or friends, and ask for their feedback. Step 3: Before giving your talk, take a few moments to calm and center yourself with relaxation techniques. Try breathing deeply, inhaling with your nose until your lungs are full, and exhaling through your mouth. Another effective technique is visualization: Imagine yourself delivering a great speech, and the audience’s applause when you are done. Step 4: Make sure your audience can hear and understand you by speaking loudly and slowly enough so that they can easily follow what you are saying. Slow down, enunciate clearly, and pause from time to time to allow your audience to process what they have heard. A steady, deliberate pace will make you seem more authoritative, and your speech more effective. Step 5: Make eye contact with your audience from time to time throughout your speech. Pick out a few supportive people in the room, and move your gaze between them. You can imagine you’re giving the speech just to them if the audience seems intimidating. Step 6: Conclude your speech with a concise statement of the main theme of the talk, and thank the audience for listening. Enjoy the applause – you’ve earned it! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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7 TIPS TO BUILD CONFIDENCE IN PUBLIC SPEAKING

Let’s consider a scenario – you are ill and you’ve consulted two doctors – the first doctor projected himself as apprehensive and edgy, while the second one appeared calm and confident. Whose advice would you be more likely to follow? We are pretty sure you would most likely go with the advice of Doctor No. 2! It’s not that the second doctor is not qualified or has no knowledge about that particular illness. But, that doctor’s lack of confidence causes us to lose confidence in him.

“Confidence Comes From Competence.”

Though a public speaker doesn’t typically deliver a treatment plan, or give medical advice, he/she certainly encourages the audience to think differently and take action on certain things by conveying their knowledge on the subject matter with confidence.

No doubt, most people break out in a cold sweat when asked to get on a stage and address a large audience. But, the speakers who are able to manage their unease the best, are the ones who will be better able to capture the audiences attention, and influence their thinking.

So, if capturing the hearts and minds of your audience is important to you, and you are open to learning about some new ways to improve your confidence in public speaking, then this article is for you. With that being said, if you’re ready to learn how to build confidence in public speaking, let’s dive deeper!

Best Ways to Build Confidence in Public Speaking

1. Visualize Your Success

No speaker is perfect; however, there are plenty of successful ones who abandoned their fear with confidence and chose to focus on their audience instead of mulling over their own flaws and potential slip-ups. You can also become a successful speaker by visualizing your success. Imagine yourself effortlessly engaging with the audience, good delivery of the speech on the subject matter, and an audience fascinated by your charisma. This creative visualization will push your self-confidence and let you eliminate many of the negative associations you earlier had with public speaking.

“Visualization is the process of creating pictures in your mind of yourself enjoying what you want. When you visualize, you generate powerful thoughts and feelings of having it now. The law of attraction then returns that reality to you, just as you saw it in your mind.”  – Rhonda Byrne

2. Don’t Let Negative Past Speaking Experience Haunt You

Don’t allow negative flash-backs from your past speaking sessions to freeze you and impact your future speaking engagements. Remember, you can’t build confidence and move on if you fail to get beyond that drive to put yourself down.

Here are a few tips to help you overcome bad experiences:

• Envision yourself in a moment that makes you feel calm and safe.
• Rather than focusing on what could go wrong, pay heed to what can go right.
• Whenever negative thoughts hover in your mind, say them aloud in front of a trusted friend.
• Recall the past events and the moments that went extremely well. It will boost your adrenaline, and ultimately your confidence.

In a nutshell, every speaking engagement is an opportunity to make a new and fresh start; don’t ruin it with the thoughts of your past bad experiences.

3. Follow a Clear Structure

Do you think that a movie with spellbinding special effects but no storyline has chances of becoming a blockbuster? Of course, not! The same holds true for your PowerPoint presentation. No matter how breathtaking visuals your presentation has, it will never grab the audience’s attention if it does not have a logically sound structure.

Without a proper structure, it is possible that you put down unconnected thoughts and a lot of information. Contrary to this, a well-structured and well-thought-out presentation lets you include the most relevant and important information and decide your delivery style. You can easily connect the dots and be confident that you know the flow of the content.

To keep your audience intrigued throughout the slideshow and wanting to listen to you more and more, there must be a strong opening/introduction, body, and closing/key takeaway message with a CTA (call-to-action) in your presentations.

So, in other words, your slideshow should have the following elements:

• Strong Opening/Introduction
• An Engaging Body
• Closing/Key Takeaways with a CTA

4. Complement Your Words with the Right Visuals

Indeed, words are powerful. You can further enhance your content by complementing it with relevant and high-definition visuals. Visuals, such as images, infographics, charts, and graphs, make your presentation conversational and help you convey your message to the intended audience with clarity.

With visuals, you can better represent the complex data and the emotional meaning hidden behind words. Moreover, you can connect with the audience effortlessly, which eventually increases your confidence.

5. Simplicity is the Ultimate Sophistication

Sometimes, in an attempt to add “too much” content in one slide, presenters end up losing the essence of the core message and distracting the audience. Keep in mind that the audience has a short attention span, and if you want to wow them, add simplicity to your PowerPoint slides and craft your entire speech around one significant message.

Doing this will help you better resonate with the audience and communicate your key message with confidence. Here’s how simplicity will help:

• Instead of beating around the bush, say it straight.
• Ensure your presentation has a logical progression.
• Remove all unnecessary clutter from your slides.
• Choose readable fonts and colors. Pick a color that contrasts well with the background color.
• Don’t overload your slides with animations; use them only if required.

6. Work on Your Gestures and Body Language

No matter how information-rich your slides are, you can’t make a big impression if you don’t look and sound confident. Within seconds, your vocal attributes and body language will let the audience decide whether you are authentic and trustworthy. So, there should be sync in what you say and how you say it.

Tips to Look Confident:

• Making eye contact while delivering a presentation is important to make a meaningful conversation with the audience.
• Don’t make a defensive pose. Keep your arms uncrossed with palms turned up.
• Don’t keep your hands in your pockets.
• Use the right gestures to emphasize your message and engage with the audience on an emotional level.

Tips to Sound Confident:

• Avoid using filler words between sentences, such as like, ah, um, you know, etc.
• Use pauses wisely to let the audience understand your message rightly.
• Vary the pace of your voice. Slow down your pace to accentuate the important points.

Related: How To Build Confidence In Yourself

7. Do Enough Practice

You can’t master public speaking skills overnight; you need to invest considerable time in practice. So, rehearse beforehand in front of your friends or colleagues, and record the practice session. Watch the recording and notice the areas where you need to work.

Improve all the flaws and practice again. Keep rehearsing until you gain confidence to deliver your speech to a mass audience. Practice will also help you improve your body language and learn time management.

Key Takeaways

Lastly, one of the best ways to build confidence in public speaking is to relish every public speaking opportunity. Don’t feel down or give up after confronting failure; instead, make a strong comeback. Don’t validate your worth with your accomplishments; keep learning from your failures and adding to your value as a speaker.

Seek to master your subject matter, control your voice (volume, tone, pitch), improve your gestures and body language, and be authentic – these are the keys to portraying yourself as a confident speaker. Remember, your confidence levels will increase with practice; and the more you practice, the more refined your public speaking skills will be.

Till next time,

PS – If you enjoyed this article on how to build confidence in public speaking, then you’ll also find these other supporting resources to be helpful:

• Become an Extrovert Even If You’re Shy
• Best Books for Building Self-Confidence
• 25 Powerful Affirmations for Confidence

CHANGE YOUR MINDSET CHANGE YOUR LIFE: TOP 5 WAYS TO CHANGE YOUR MINDSET AND LEVEL UP YOUR LIFE

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Ashish Arora is the Co-Founder of SketchBubble.com, a leading provider of result-driven, professionally built PowerPoint templates. Travelling the world to gather new creative ideas, he has been working in the digital marketing space since 2007 and has a passion for designing presentations.

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100 INSPIRING COURAGE QUOTES TO HELP YOU FEEL COURAGEOUS

If you’re searching for some inspiring courage quotes then you’ll love this page. Before we dive into them however, know this…

We all need to look within and dig deep now and again, to remember that we have what it takes to live the life of our dreams. If that’s you, looking for that little nudge of encouragement, or help remembering that you can rise to the occasion, then you’ve come to the right place.

If you’re searching for quotes about courage, we’ve got them here. We’ve curated some of the most encouraging words on the importance of being brave, courageous, and fearless from some of the world’s greatest minds. Our hope is that they’ll give you the courage to unleash that inner bravery that will help you live your best life . So, without further ado, if you’re ready to dive into some of the most powerful courage quotes of all-time then let’s dive in: 

100 Courage Quotes to Help You Unleash Your Inner Lion

1. “Fortune favors the bold.” – Virgil

2. “Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.” – Andre Gide

3. “Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.” – Anais Nin

4. “Success means having the courage, the determination, and the will to become the person you believe you were meant to be.” – George A. Sheehan”

5. “To dare is to lose one’s footing momentarily. To not dare is to lose oneself.” – Soren Kierkegaard

6.  “Courage is being scared to death…and saddling up anyway.” – John Wayne

7. “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill

8. “He who is brave is free.” – Seneca

9. “Messenger boy: The Thessalonian you’re fighting, he’s the biggest man I’ve ever seen.  I wouldn’t want to fight him. Achilles:  That is why no one will remember your name.” – Troy

10. “Courage is fear holding on a minute longer” – George S. Patton

11. “ If you have no confidence in self, you are twice defeated in the race of life.” – Marcus Garvey

12. “Never let the fear of striking out get in your way.” – Babe Ruth

13. “There are two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, and not starting.” – Buddha

14. “He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.” – Muhammad Ali

15. “In any given moment, we have two options: To step forward into growth or to step back into safety.” – Abraham Maslow

16. “It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.” – E.E. Cummings

17. “Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point.” – C.S. Lewis

18. “Courage is knowing what not to fear.” – Plato

19. “All our dreams can come true , if we have the courage to pursue them.” – Walt Disney

20. “The desire for safety stands against every great and noble enterprise.” – Tacitus

21. “It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends.” – J.K. Rowling

22 . “Courage is the price that life exacts for granting peace.” – Amelia Earhart

23. “Just as courage is the danger of life, so is fear its safeguard.” – Leonardo Da Vinci

24 . “The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud.” – Coco Chanel

25. “Courage is a love affair with the unknown.” – Osho

26. “From caring comes courage.” – Lao Tzu

27. “He is a man of courage who does not run away, but remains at his post and fights against the enemy.” – Socrates

28. “Most of us have far more courage than we ever dreamed we possessed.” – Dale Carnegie

29. “You will never do anything in this world without courage.  It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honor.” – Aristotle

30.  “The secret to happiness is freedom…  And the secret to freedom is courage.” – Thucydides

31. “Courage is like love; it must have hope for nourishment.” – Napoleon Bonaparte

32. “Freedom is a system based on courage.” – Charles Peguy

33. “Courage is action, not talk.” – Jeff Rich

34. “Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius, and a lot of courage, to move in the opposite direction.” – Albert Einstein

35.  “Valor grows by daring; fear by holding back.” – Publilius Syrus

36. “If you could get up the courage to begin, you have the courage to succeed.” – David Viscott

37. “I have a lot of things to prove to myself. One is that I can live my life fearlessly.” – Oprah Winfrey

38. “Sometimes even to live is an act of courage.” – Seneca

39. “Courage conquers all things: it even gives strength to the body.” – Ovid

40. “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.” – Nelson Mandela

41.   “Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage.  If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it.  Go out and get busy.” – Dale Carnegie

42.  “Courage is on display every day, and only the courageous wring the most out of life.” – Zig Ziglar

43. “You can’t test courage cautiously.” – Annie Dillard

44. “Courage is doing what you are afraid to do. There can be no courage unless you are scared.” – Eddie Rickenbacker

45. “What you are afraid to do is a clear indication of the next thing you need to do.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

46. “People don’t follow titles, they follow courage.” – William Wells Brown

47. “Without courage, wisdom bears no fruit.” – Baltasar Gracian

48. “Of all forms of caution, caution in love is perhaps the most fatal to true happiness.” – Bertrand Russell

49. “Trust the still, small voice that says, “ this might work and I’ll try it.” – Diane Mariechild

50. “The brave may not live forever, but the cautious don’t live at all.” – Ashley L

Halfway There

You’re more than halfway through these courage quotes, great job! We hope they are providing you with the inspiration and courage you’ll need to go after the life you want.

If you’re not 100% fired up yet, well, keep reading until you feel 100% belief in yourself. You got this, let’s go!

51. “The greatest test of courage on the earth is to bear defeat without losing heart.” – R.G. Ingersoll

52. “Creativity takes courage.” – Henri Matisse

53. “Fear is a reaction. Courage is a decision.” – Winston S. Churchill

54. “Do not be afraid I am with you.” – Isaiah 43:5

55.  “Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.” – Robert F. Kennedy

56. “Great people do things before they’re ready. They do things before they know they can do it.” – Amy Poehler

57. “Sometimes all you need is 20 seconds of courage and I promise you something great will come of it.” – We Bought A Zoo

58. “Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising that tempt you to believe your critics are right.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

59. “Courage is like a muscle. We strengthen it by use.” – Ruth Gordo

60. “One man with courage is a majority.” – Thomas Jefferson

61. “Life is too short to not be fearless for what you want .” – Nate Lee Morales

62. You can choose courage, or you can choose comfort, but you cannot choose both.” – Brene Brown

63. “Courage does not always roar. Sometimes courage is the quite voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.”

64. “Anything is possible if you’ve got enough nerve.” – J.K. Rowling

65.  “Courage is resistance to fear, master of fear, not absence of fear.” – Mark Twain

66. “The best way out is always through.” – Robert Frost

67. “I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflections.” – Thomas Paine

68. “Fight hard when you are down; die hard—determine at least to do—and you won’t die at all.” – James H. West

69. “Never forget that no military leader has ever become great without audacity.” – Karl Von Clausewitz

70. “The devil whispers, “You can’t withstand the storm.” The Warrior replied, “I am the storm.” – Unknown

71. “To uncover your true potential, you must first find your own limits and then you have to have the courage to blow past them.” – Picabo Street

72. “Everything you’ve ever wanted is on the other side of fear.” – George Addair

73. “Speak your mind, even if your voice shakes.” – Maggie Kuhn

74. “We must build dikes of courage to hold back the flood of fear.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

75. “Live Dangerously and you live right.” – Goethe

76. “Life is being on the wire, everything else is just waiting.” – Karl Wallenda

77. “Courage is Grace Under Pressure” – Ernest Hemingway

78. “Success doesn’t come to you, you go to it.” – T. Scott Mcleod

79. “Glory gives herself only to those who have always dreamed of her.” – Charles de Gaul

80. “Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.” – Goethe

81. “Courage is the power to let go of the familiar.” – Raymond Lindquist

82. “Sometimes you don’t realize your own strength until you come face to face with your greatest weakness.” – Susan Gale

83. “It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes short again and again, who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause, who at best knows achievement and who at the worst if he fails at least fails while daring greatly so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.” – Theodore Roosevelt

84. “Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.” – Dale Carnegie

85. “Be Fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire.” – Courage Quote

86. “Never say never, because limits, like fears, are often just an illusion.” – Michael Jordan

87. “Courage is looking fear right in the eye and saying, “Get the hell out of my way, I’ve got things to do.” – Unknown

88. “Sometimes the biggest act of courage is a small one.” – Lauren Raffo

89. “Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.” – Winston Churchill

90.   “Fate loves the fearless.” – James Russell Lowell

91. “One man scorned and covered with scars still strove with his last ounce of courage to reach the unreachable stars; and the world was better for this.” – Don Quixote

92. “Only when we are no longer afraid do we begin to live .” – Dorothy Thompson

93. “Have the courage to act instead of react.” – Oliver Wendell Holmes

94. “He who has courage and faith will never perish in misery!” – Anne Frank

95. “The only person who never makes mistakes is the person who never does anything.” – Dennis Waitely

96 . “Cowards die many deaths before their deaths, the valiant never taste of death but once.” – William Shakespeare

97. “Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened.” – Billy Graham

98. “Courage is the standing army of the soul, which keeps it from conquest, pillage, and slavery.” – Henry Van Dyke

99. “To be successful we must do things that unsuccessful people do not want to do. Those things require levels of courage.” – R. Harpe

100.  “Courage is the ladder on which all other virtues mount.” – Clare Booth Luce

Bonus Quote on Courage

We have one last addition to these courage quotes that we’d like to add.  It is a courage quote that every student of success must never forget.  Here it is, straight from the mouth of the  ‘Dean of Personal Development’…

“All You Need Is The Plan, The Roadmap, And The Courage To Press On To Your Destination.” – earl nightingale –

Final Words On Courage

There you have it friends, the best of the best when it comes to courage quotes.  Did you enjoy them?  If so, please share using any of the social share buttons below…  Spread the fire!  Also, if you enjoyed these courage quotes, you’ll probably really enjoy our popular No Guts, No Glory Quotes.

With that being said, we hope you’ll leverage these courageous thoughts and words of wisdom to start living the empowered and successful life you were meant to live.  

Till next time, 

PS – If you enjoyed these courage quotes, then you’ll likely enjoy this courage enhancing + confidence boosting resource: Go Fearless

Confidence , at its root, is simply possessing a deep and convincing belief in yourself. It is knowing that whatever you do, and whatever happens in your life, in the end, you are going to be all right. So, if you’re in search of discovering or creating such self-assuredness, these affirmations for confidence may be exactly what you need.

For whatever reason, many people don’t believe in themselves. In fact, most people doubt themselves, and have a deep mistrust of what they are capable of. It’s unfortunate too, because this lack of confidence can impact the quality our lives in very real and tangible ways. The lack of confidence leads to less action, less action leads to less opportunities seized, and less opportunities seized leads to well, a life that is less than amazing.

“A Confident Life = An Amazing Life”

Fortunately though, confidence is only a state of mind. And, much like a muscle, confidence can be strengthened, sculpted, and transformed, much like our physical bodies. And all it really requires is the determination to make it so. Without a doubt, improved confidence is a matter of choice . Your choice. You can, if you decide to, manufacture at will, your own higher levels of self-confidence. How? Simply put, through confidence affirmations.  

Affirmations are one of the most effective ways that you can immediately begin dialing up your self-belief. And as a result, your confidence.  All it takes is you speaking a few encouraging words to yourself daily.

By simply repeating a handful of confidence affirmations daily, you can fortify your mind against that small inner voice that has been telling you you’re not good enough lately.  And if you practice this positive self-talk daily with conviction and consistency you’ll be well on your way to becoming a new and more confident person in no-time at all.

So, to get you started on the right track of becoming a better and more confident you, we’re publishing only the best affirmations for confidence. The affirmations that actually work for boosting self-esteem , self-belief, and of course confidence. So, give them a shot. You have nothing to lose, and heaps of confidence to gain. You ready? Let’s go!!

25 BEST AFFIRMATIONS FOR CONFIDENCE

Affirmation 1: I Exude Confidence.

The first confidence affirmation is short, but powerful. Use it often while envisioning yourself overflowing with confidence. And before you know it, you will be.

“I exude confidence.”

Affirmation 2: Whatever Happens To Me, I Can Handle It.

You are more powerful and capable then you can imagine. And sometimes, just knowing that everything is going to be all right can give you that subtle edge of assuredness that others will see as glowing confidence.

“Whatever happens to me, I can handle it.”

Affirmation 3: I am Worthy of All The Good Things That Happen In My Life.

You are worthy, and when you’ve convinced yourself of this fact, the world will believe it too. So, use this affirmation often, and then carefully observe how everybody around you starts to treat you like the King/Queen that you are.

“I am worthy of all the good things that happen in my life.”

Affirmation 4: I Deserve The Highest and Best In Life.

You deserve what you believe you deserve. And if you can make that little voice in your head believe you deserve the highest and best, you’ll be pleasantly surprised with how things start turning out for you.

You’ll begin making new friends, you’ll be treating a little better then others, but more importantly, you’ll start feeling great about yourself.

“I deserve the highest and best in life.”

Affirmation 5: I Don’t Need Validation From Others.

By repeating this affirmation you’ll silence that doubting voice that all of us have heard which whispers, “But what will they think?”, “What if they laugh?”, “What will they say.”

This affirmation can and will make you a lion amongst men and women.

“I don’t need validation from others.”

Affirmation 6: I am a Lion, Not a Sheep.

Speaking of lions, this affirmation will give you the mental edge to not care about the opinions of others. Especially if those opinions are coming from people who don’t matter to you. So, embrace this affirmation to tap into your inner lion while silence your inner lamb.

“I am a lion, not a sheep.”

Affirmation 7: I am Fearless.

There is magic in this affirmation. It works surprisingly fast, and it curbs self-doubt and fear in a matter of minutes. This affirmation is perfect to recite when your nerves are getting the best of you, like right before you give a public speech or call that special someone on the phone.

“I am fearless.”

Affirmation 8: I Let Go of Negative feelings About Myself, and Accept Only The Good.

Much of our confidence, or lack there of, stems from our thoughts. Typically, the more negative our thinking is, the less confident we are. However, when our thoughts and feelings are filled with positive thoughts about the world and our life, we’ll naturally feel better about ourselves.

“I let go of the negative feelings about myself, and accept only the good.”

Affirmation 9: I Believe In Myself.

When a person believes in themselves, others can sense it. The resolute and deep belief in our own abilities, worthiness, and value is the equivalent of confidence. As such, finding a way to believe in yourself will do wonders for your confidence.

Related: Lacking Self Belief? Read This

So, force yourself to believe in yourself by using this simple affirmation often, and your confidence will soar as a result.

“I believe in myself.”

Affirmation 10: I Love Myself, As Well As Others.

Having positive and loving relationships with others as well as with ourselves is a powerful combination for increasing our self-confidence. And when you recite this affirmation, it helps facilitate the creation of more positive relationships in our lives.

“I love myself, as well as others.”

Affirmation 11: I Release Anything That Doesn’t Serve Me.

All to often we hold on to negative judgement of others, or the negative feelings we experience when we’ve failed in the past. But, those feelings don’t serve you. In fact, they harm you and your confidence.

So, use this affirmation to let go of all those thoughts and feelings that don’t make you feel better about yourself.

“I release anything that doesn’t serve me.”

Affirmation 12: I am Powerful, Positive, and Energetic.

This is one of our favorite affirmations for confidence because it helps create a positive vision of what confidence typically looks like to others. And, when we begin to feel more powerful, positive, and energetic, and we begin acting out such feelings, the world will struggle to see you as anything nothing less than the epitome of confidence.

“I am powerful, positive, and energetic.”

Affirmation 13: I am Worthy of All That I Want.

One of the biggest impediments to confidence is the lack of self-worth. Affirmations alone won’t completely fix how much we value ourselves, but, taking positive steps to find daily victories in our everyday lives along with consistently reminding ourselves that we are indeed deserving of the things we want, can help usher us to a new and improved level of confidence.

“I am worthy of all that I want.”

Affirmation 14: I Trust Myself.

Self-trust is the essence of heroism. As such, use this affirmation to build your confidence muscles and draw out your inner hero.

“I trust myself.”

Affirmation 15: I Have Faith In Myself.

“I have faith in myself.”

Affirmation 16: I Enjoy Meeting People and Making New Friends.

This affirmation is particularly helpful for introverts. Considering most introverts prefer to keep to themselves, they do. However, confidence is built when one is out in the world facing their fears with others.

Related: How to Win Friends Quotes

So, use this affirmation to get you of your comfort zone and into dynamic social situations that will force you to grow. The result, if you do it enough, will be more confidence.

“I enjoy meeting people and making new friends.”

Affirmation 17: I am Confident and Strong.

Confident people are associated with strength, and strong people are typically associated with confidence. So, convince your mind that you are both with this confidence affirmation and the day will come when it will be 100% true.

“I am confident and strong.”

Affirmation 18: If God is For Me, Who Can Be Against Me.

There is just something comforting about this affirmation. It has the power to instantaneously fill one up with a level of assuredness that would be hard to find in the person who doesn’t believe it.

“If God is for me, who can be against me.”

Affirmation 19: I am Becoming More Confident Each Day.

You can become more confident with each day that passes, so long as that is your intention. So, use this affirmation for confidence till you intentions lines up with reality.

“I am becoming more confident each day.”

Affirmation 20: I am Unique and Wonderful In All Ways.

You are unique, and there are many great things about you. As such, try to see those positives when you utter this affirmation, and you’ll see your confidence improve at a faster rate.

“I am unique and wonderful in all ways.”

Affirmation 21: God Is With Me; Is Helping Me; And Is Guiding Me.

Not everyone will be comfortable evoking the help of the divine . Some might even be too prideful, or doubtful of the merits of doing so.

However, regardless of whatever it is you believe in, or don’t believe in, if you’ll recite this affirmation with faith, you’ll be pleasantly surprised with the results. But, don’t just take our word for it, give it a try yourself. Trust; but verify.

“God is with me; is helping me; and is guiding me.”

Affirmation 22: I am The Master of My Emotions.

People’s who cannot control their emotions rarely come across as the calm and level-headed person others see as confident. However, when you set it as a goal to become the master of how you think and feel about what happens to you, you’ll become that confident person everyone wishes they could be.

“I am the master of my emotions.”

Affirmation 23: I am a Miracle.

This confidence affirmation is powerful. By repeating it, it will help you believe in your uniqueness, and in the fact that you are special.

That said, we believe you are a miracle, and when you start to believe it too, miracles will start to happen for you.

“I am a miracle.”

Affirmation 24: I am The Most Confident Person I Know.

The affirmation won’t be true at first, but with frequent use, you’ll be creating the ideal and uber-confident version of yourself in your mind often. As such, you’ll move yourself in the direction, over time, of becoming more confident then you ever thought you could be, and eventually, if you truly wish it to be, the most confident person you know.

“I am the most confident person I know.”

Affirmation 25: I am Bold and Determined to Become My Best Self.

You have take some major steps to becoming a better and more confident version of yourself. And this affirmation does a great job setting the stage for what must be done to become the confident version of you that you aspire to.

“I am bold and determined to become my best self.”

Final Thoughts on Confidence

Alright, you made it through our affirmations for confidence. Big kudos to you. Now, the real challenge is using these affirmations consistently. So, bookmark this page, and come back often.

Choose the affirmations that most resonate with you. And simply repeat them to yourself silently or out loud until your mind is filled with thoughts of faith, confidence, and a strong belief in yourself .

With that being said, go forth and believe in yourself. And trust that with a humble and reasonable confidence in your own powers you can and will be successful and happy.

PS – If you enjoyed these affirmations for confidence, then you’ll definitely find value in these additional resources for building up your confidence:

• top list of confidence books
• confidence boosting videos
• best confidence building strategies

10 STRATEGIES ON HOW TO BECOME FEARLESS AND CONFIDENT

If you’re searching for effective strategies on how to become fearless and confident in yourself then this article is for you. However, before we provide those strategies, it’s important to know that we all have choices to make in this life, and some of those choices are constant. We all must choose on a daily basis, between shirking opportunities for growth and expansion, or leaning in to face our challenges fearlessly with full acceptance of the outcome.

Choosing the former leads to stagnation, less freedom, less happiness and ultimately unfulfilled potential. While on the other hand, the latter leads to more joy, freedom, abundance, and potential fulfilled.

“THE SECRET TO HAPPINESS IS FREEDOM…AND THE SECRET TO FREEDOM IS COURAGE.” –  THUCYDIDES  –

Without a doubt, there are fears and doubts that keep the majority of people living out their lives in quiet desperation, only to go to their graves with their gifts, dreams, talents, and aspirations still left inside of them. In fact, the late Wayne Dyer once stated, “The number one regret of the dying is ‘I wish I had the courage to live the life I wanted rather than doing what others wanted of me.’”

Thus, it is for this line of reasoning that we decided to publish this resource, to provide you with actionable strategies that you can use to build confidence in yourself. The type of confidence that would allow for you to to live life fearlessly starting today.

With that being said, after researching numerous books, and experimenting with a variety of different tools, (meditation, affirmations, guided visualizations, hypnosis etc…) we discovered a handful of best-practices that you can immediately employ to start building confidence in yourself quickly.

We’re confident, that if you attempt to conquer your fears using the insights provided on this page with complete commitment, you will begin to experience noticeable progress in your self-belief, confidence, and your ability take more action.

In other words, you will become more confident, fearless, and thus more inclined to transform yourself into the type of action-taker your dreams require you to be.

So, if you’re ready to learn about the 10 best strategies for becoming fearless and confident in yourself starting today, let’s dive right in:

HOW TO BE FEARLESS AND CONFIDENT IN YOURSELF

1. BELIEVE (HAVE FAITH) IN YOURSELF

This first confidence-building strategy simply consists of having faith in yourself. We understand that this may seem difficult to do. But once we show you the why behind how this works, you may just become inclined to make your leap of faith.

This “why” that we’re referring to consists of a simple process. It’s only one process, but we aim to illustrate it in two different ways.  Thus, the two diagrams below are meant to inform you, as well as act as an incentive to encourage you to continue using the other strategies we will be providing to you. 

With that said, both of these diagrams are important to comprehend, but the diagram that is best to keep in mind as you utilize the other strategies we’ll be recommending, is this first one, Diagram 1 . 

We suggest that it is kept at the forefront of your mind, and used as a foundation as you strengthen your confidence muscles. We recommend this because of the substantial life enhancing effects that can result from you believing that you can become not just uber-confident, but fearless.

So, without further ado, here is the first diagram, your foundation, and your strong reason as to why you should become fearless.

DIAGRAM 1: 

This diagram (see on next page) is a model for life enhancement.  When we comprehend how this model impacts our life, we can equip ourselves with the conviction that is needed to jumpstart our intentions for facing our fears. 

The model demonstrates how you can actually decide to crush your fears, and take steps to continually suppress those fears, while at the same time setting yourself up for future success.

When you observe the model on the next page you will notice that it is cyclical.  You should also take note, that the model spirals in a direction that is toward a stronger, increasingly improved you, which naturally translates into a brighter future for you.  

You’ll notice when looking at this model (especially in comparison to the second diagram provided just after this one) the word ‘Increased’ . 

This entire model is impacted by the decision to increase our belief that we can become fearless, and an increase in our belief of ourselves.  As a result, a bigger brighter, more fulfilled future can ensue.  

The premise of the model is this: If you force yourself to have certainty about your abilities, an absolute belief that you can handle whatever it is you are undertaking, you will place in motion a positive life enhancing process. 

When you decide to increase your belief that you can do something, you will influence your potential for actually being able to do that thing well.

Having the sense that you have increased potential to accomplish something, you will in effect be more likely to take (increased) action to fulfill that potential. As you begin taking more action, and doing so with full faith in your potential and ability to execute flawlessly, you will begin to get better results.

Having these improved results will reinforce your belief in yourself, and in your abilities.  In turn, the whole process will restart anew, and every recurring time, it will be from an even stronger, more confident position.

In summary :   with a decision to believe in one’s self, one’s potential to execute will increase.  Consequently, one will be inclined to take even more action, whereby, one will inevitably see more improved results.  As time goes on, this process will compound all results.  Therefore, it is vital to begin from a position of belief, to get onto the path towards living fearlessly.

DIAGRAM 2: 

Diagram 2 is very similar to Diagram 1, just illustrated above.  This diagram was included primarily to provide additional context in relation to the power of belief.  Its purpose is to demonstrate what the opposite effects are, if we get started on the wrong foot.

This diagram, unlike Diagram 1, is on a negative spiraling path towards a diminishing life.   It is different in that it consists of a cycle of decrease.  In essence, when we allow for things, people, or our own negative opinion of ourselves to negatively impact our belief in ourselves and our abilities, we will inevitably experience a level of diminishment in our potential.

Through this feeling of diminished capabilities, we will in effect act less on the fulfillment of our goals.  Like most people, when something seems futile, we are less inclined to persevere.  As a perfect example of cause and effect, our lack of action (or our half-hearted action) leads to substandard results.

And the cycle goes on.  Those less than stellar results reinforce our lack of belief in ourselves (again), which as a result decreases our outlook on our potential even more so.  In turn, this ultimately reduces even further, our desire to act, yet again bringing even worse results, etc.

This phase can go on indefinitely to eventual physical, spiritual, and professional defeat. Something we do not want for you, or anyone.

The most critical aspect to take away from this strategy to build confidence in yourself (considering both diagrams), is that it is critical that we start all of our undertakings from a place of belief.

If you begin having any doubts as you implement any of our other strategies, or begin to feel your inner cynic start to come out, just come back to this first strategy and simply reacquaint yourself until you are ready to move forward with faith.

It is vitally important that you believe you can actually learn how to become more confident.  It is important to believe that you can do amazing things, because without belief, you can not, nor ever will, become a fearless version of your former self.

So, first things first, have faith in yourself!

“IF YOU MUST DOUBT SOMETHING, DOUBT YOUR LIMITS.” –  PRICE PRITCHETT  –

2. INTERNALIZE THESE 6 TRUTHS

This next confidence boosting strategy consists of six very important truths that when deeply understood, can assist you in the easing of your apprehensions. [1]  

We suggest you attempt to internalize these truths.  By doing so, you will be conditioning your mind to release the stress that you may have built up around your fears and apprehensions in the past. Here they are:

• Fear and angst never goes away fully, not as long as we are growing, stretching, and striving for more.  Fear, angst, and uneasiness then, is but a natural consequence of striving.
• To start feeling confident and good about ourselves, we have to take some type of definitive steps/actions to improve the situation or ourselves.
• The only way to get rid of the fear or angst of doing something is to go out and do that thing which which is causing us unease.
• Fear and doubt art things that is experienced by everyone.  To be human, is to fearful and doubtful. Fear and doubt are natural byproducts of growth; it’s a byproduct of placing ourselves in unfamiliar territory, outside of our comfort zones.   We are all human, and thus we all experience fear and doubt.
• Living with the regret and the feeling of helplessness the stems from not tackling your fears or seeking to suppress your doubts, is more frightening than having decided to face your fears head on.
• The more attention we give to our fears without doing something to combat them, the stronger they will grow, and the more paralyzed you’ll feel when you decide to conquer them.

Speaking these six truths out loud whenever fear begins to creep up in our mind, can do wonders for quelling any anxiousness we may be feeling.

It’s like preparing for a big game or battle against a worthy opponent.  The more you know about your opponent, the less frightening it is.  The less frightening the opponent appears, the more willing we are to face it.

3. PRACTICE THESE SIX ACTIONS TO BUILD CONFIDENCE IN YOURSELF

There are six practical actions will be helpful for you to keep in your ‘back pocket’ so-to-speak, so they can be easily accessed when the time comes for proactively building confidence in yourself.

This step, also includes a diagram that conveys how taking action works toward curing our fears.

It is critical to know, that action builds confidence and cures fear.  As such, find a way to isolate your fears.  Once you do this, you can then begin to take constructive action to face those fears.  Taking action on the thing you fear most is highly effective.  If you don’t take action, your fears will grow.

Project (or force) your confidence.  Here are some ways to do this:

a. Force yourself to sit in the front row of your training classes, sit nearest the boss in meetings, put yourself out there, etc.

b. Speak up.  Participate.  Engage.

c. Make sure you make and keep eye contact with everyone with whom you speak.  Force yourself to not instantly look away. Establish your presence.

d. When you walk, walk with purpose. Consider walking 25% faster. [2]

e. Smile big and act as if you were confident.  Fake it till you make it.  

f.   Stand tall, and act like a person with pride.  People respond more positively to such a presence, which will up your confidence.

Take time to actively envision yourself successfully executing that thing which you fear.  Many times, our fears are tied up in our perception that we can’t or won’t be able to do something well.  A simple action that we can take to calm our nerves about a fear of our inability to do something is to imagine, over and over again, our doing that thing well, or perfectly.  Doing so will not only ensure you do that thing better, but you will have less angst leading up to the doing of that thing.

Take massive action to only allow positive thoughts in your mind.  Watching or reading the news, allowing ourselves to think negatively, being around gossipers, or participating in gossiping, will detract from your confidence, and thus incubate your fears.

Practice following what your conscience tells you is right.  In other words, listen to your gut.  By doing so, you will prevent a toxic guilt complex.  Trust your gut.  If something feels wrong, it probably is, so don’t do it.

Release your fear of other people, and of their judgements.  Remember that other people are just as human as you.  Also keep in mind, that people more often than not, really mean well.  And deep down inside, they are actually nice, and don’t have the negative judgements of us that we typically conjure up in our minds.

Be sure to review the ‘Take Action Diagram’ on the following pages, as it will help illuminate why taking action on your fears is helpful.

Once you have reviewed the diagram, consider coming back to the actions mentioned earlier, and pick any item, and decide to take action on it today.

TAKE ACTION DIAGRAM

We are fearful of those things that are outside our comfort zone. The unknown has always brought discomfort to even the greatest of us. This model objectively demonstrates how when we take actions/risks towards facing our fears, we eventually make progress towards overcoming those fears. [3]

Imagine yourself standing within the center of the model, which is your existing comfort zone.  As you take incremental risks, you move outward on this model, to higher level risks, acquiring new levels of confidence in the process.  This level of confidence then allows for you to keep moving (outward) towards that main fear, until you’ve faced it.  At this point, the discomfort of doing that fearful event again should be much less severe, as you have graduated into your newly attained comfort zone.

This model also demonstrates why even after we’ve accomplished a fear inducing goal, why we may continue to still have fears.  It’s important to note, that in most cases, the fear we are experiencing won’t be the same fear as before.  As we choose to stretch ourselves to accomplish bigger or more challenging goals, new fears will arise due to the uncertainty of accomplishing those goals. 

4. LEVERAGE THIS SELF-CONFIDENCE FORMULA

The following Self-Confidence Formula was derived from Napoleon Hill’s classic book, ‘Think and Grow Rich’ . [4]

We have found that it has the most optimal effect when it is read consistently, in its entirety, and aloud with deliberate energy every morning just after waking up. 

By reading this mantra daily as a ritual, noticeable changes to your confidence levels may be experienced.  As such, you will be positioning yourself to approach your fears with the heightened courage needed to conquer them.  Here it is:

1. I know that I have the ability to achieve the object of my Definite Purpose in life.  Therefore, I demand of myself persistent, continuous action towards its attainment, and I here and now promise to take such action.

2. I realize the dominating thoughts of my mind will eventually reproduce themselves in outward, physical action and gradually transform themselves into physical reality.  Therefore, I will concentrate my thoughts for 30 minutes daily upon the task of thinking of the person I intend to become, thereby creating in my mind a clear mental picture of that person.

3. I know through the principle of autosuggestion that any desire I persistently hold in my mind will eventually seek expression through some practical means of attaining the object.  Therefore, I will devote 10 minutes daily to demanding of myself the development of self-confidence.

4. I have clearly written down a description of my Definite Chief Aim in life.  I will never stop trying until I have developed sufficient self-confidence for its attainment.

5. I fully realize that no wealth or position can long endure unless built upon truth and justice.  Therefore, I will engage in no transaction that does not benefit all whom it affects.  I will succeed by attracting to myself the forces I wish to use, and the cooperation of other people.

I will induce others to serve me because of my willingness to serve others.  I will eliminate hatred, envy, jealousy, selfishness and cynicism by developing love for all humanity because I know that a negative attitude towards others can never bring me success.  I will cause others to believe in me, because I will believe in them, and in myself.  I will sign my name to this formula, commit it to memory and repeat it aloud once a day, with full faith that it will gradually influence my thoughts and actions so that I will become a self-reliant and successful person.

COMPANION RESOURCE: 

As part of this strategy, we’ve also included the following mantra, which was written by Walter D. Wintle . [5]  

This mantra is a great reminder of the power that thought has on our life outcomes.  We’ve included it because it is such a helpful reminder on the power belief and mindset can have on how we show up in life.

With constant review, it can strengthen your belief in your ability to will change, and to use your mind to defeat the challenges that lay before you.

MINDSET MANTRA

Related: Mantras For Success

5. BUILD CONFIDENCE IN YOURSELF WITH AFFIRMATIONS

If you are not familiar with affirmations, they are essentially statements said to oneself, with conviction about a perceived truth.  They are a way of programming one’s mind into believing what you are telling it. 

Affirmations can be useful for strengthening our minds against a number of self-limiting beliefs.  They are especially affective for helping people manage a lack of confidence. And they are great to use if you have a strong sense of fear towards doing something.

If you want to learn more about what affirmations are, and how to make them work for you, we highly recommend you read the Psychology Today article, by Ronald Alexander Ph.D. titled: ‘5 Steps to Make Affirmations Work for You’.

The following phrases are some of the most powerful Fear Conquering affirmations you can use.  They are most impactful when read daily, out loud to yourself.  It is especially effective if you look into a mirror, directly into your eyes, when reciting these affirmations. This is known as the mirror technique, of course it’s not 100% necessary, especially if you are driving, etc.

For the sixth one, just fill in the blank with whichever issue you are having doubts about. Or fill it in with any issue that fills you with anxiety due to self-perceived feelings of inadequacies. 

For example; if you have doubts about your strength as a leader, recite the following: “I am a strong leader.” 

Similarly, if you fear you are not good public speaker, you can recite the following:  “I am a great public speaker.” 

And, if you fear you are not a good conversationalist, recite the following:  “I am a great conversationalist”. And so on and so forth.

You can also easily interchange the adjective of Great on this sixth affirmation with whichever you wish to be more of. For example, you can use good, powerful, successful, calm, peaceful, happy, etc. instead of Great.

• I AM FEARLESS.
• WHATEVER HAPPENS TO ME, I CAN HANDLE IT.
• I EXUDE CONFIDENCE.
• I AM POWERFUL, POSITIVE, AND ENERGETIC.
• I LOVE MYSELF, AS WELL AS OTHERS.
• I AM A GREAT__________________.

If you’re looking for a really thorough list of affirmations to build confidence in yourself, and more about affirmations in general, use these resources:

• Affirmations For Confidence
• What Are Affirmations?
• Do Affirmations Work?

With that said, this next section includes a helpful diagram that can help you track how affirmations are impacting your feelings of empowerment over time.  The exercise is optional, but it can help you observe and track progress.

PAIN TO EMPOWERMENT CONTINUUM DIAGRAM: 

This is a powerful diagram that the late Susan Jeffers, Ph.D. inspired via her book, ‘Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway’. [6]    It has served as a very useful way to track my progress on my feelings of confidence. 

With the knowledge that you can track how you feel about yourself, and how you perceive yourself in terms of handling your fears, you can gradually improve your situation.   That which gets measured, can improve. 

As such, this diagram is an excellent way to track your progress towards becoming more empowered via the affirmations you used, (or can be used to track your feelings of progress for the implementation of all mentioned strategies), towards building your confidence.  How you measure yourself is purely subjective and relative to your situation, but then again, so is fear.

An important thing to keep in mind, is that the secret to handling our lack of confidence, is our ability to move ourselves from a place of pain (see left side of diagram), to a place of feeling empowered (see right side of diagram).  When we are in a place of pain, we feel helpless, we feel depressed, have a feeling of paralysis (Can’t, Won’t, or Don’t want to do Anything), and are generally apathetic. 

However, when we are empowered, we feel we are capable of making decisions. We have more energy, we take more action, and we conduct ourselves from a place of passion.  Observe the diagram below.

When you’re feeling empowered, you’ll make better choices and have more energy. You’ll also take more action, and feel a stronger sense of passion and well being in your life.

PAIN TO EMPOWERMENT TRACKING

Consider tracking the impact the affirmations are having on you at the end of each week. Practice your affirmations diligently, and then measure how you feel in each area to if they are working.

Take inventory of your progress towards becoming a bit more confident and a lot more fearless for the next 66 days, using the ‘pain to empower’ diagram.  Simply add a check mark along the spectrum, pinpointing how you feel your empowerment levels rank on a scale from 1 – 8 at the end of every week  (1 being the worst, and nearest to pain, and 8 being the best and nearest to feelings of empowerment).   

Tracking like this can help to provide a sense of accomplishment. And that sense of accomplishment can help you push through the entire duration of the process.

Here is what that measurement and tracking process could look like:

Quantify Results to Make Measurable Progress:   Wherever you place your check mark on each of the four spectrums, you can use the location (1 -8) of that check mark as the number to enter in the boxes below.   By doing this, you put a number to your progress.  

In fact, at the end of each week, you can tally up your score for each spectrum (divide it by 4) and then enter it into the TOTAL SCORE box at the bottom.  By quantifying your improvement, you can make measurable progress over time.   For instance, the hypothetical total score on the next page is the total of each spectrum score, divided by 4.  i.e. 7+4+6+8 = 25   so then 25 ÷ 4 equals 6.25  

If you’re total score grows throughout the following weeks, keep doing what you’ve been doing, as a growing score signifies that you’re moving in the right direction.

Related: Affirmations For Success

6. INCREASE YOUR CONFIDENCE WITH VISUALIZATION

Cheryl Lossie, Ph.D., is a former lecturer of public speaking for Clemson University, and retired public-speaking lecturer who specialized in teaching some of the most fearless people on the planet, the U.S Special Forces, how to overcome their hesitancy of speaking in front of people, and how to do it well. 

When we interviewed Dr. Lossie about what she recommended to her students (the fearless Special Ops folks) for overcoming their fears of public speaking, she informed us that it was to simply practice visualization.

Her recommendation coincided well with much of our research and experiences for overcoming fears. In fact, it also aligned with some of Tony Robbins’ research on how to overcome fear as well.   As such, a great mental exercise to help you build confidence in yourself, is to simply practice visualization.

As a best practice to visualize effectively, it is recommended, that you sit in a quiet place, with no distractions. You’ll want to close your eyes, and then take 2 to 5 minutes to imagine yourself executing flawlessly (in addition rebounding flawlessly, if things do go as planned) that thing which you are so afraid of doing. 

For example:

• If afraid of public speaking, see yourself giving a flawless presentation.  Also, see yourself getting that standing ovation or that positive response you are seeking from your audience once you’ve finished wowing them.
• If it’s conducting an important staff-meeting, see yourself taking charge and crushing that meeting.  Imagine in detail exactly what you plan on saying, how you will say it, and think what you will say in response to other attendees at the meeting.
• If it’s presenting a sales presentation to a client, see yourself giving a perfect sales presentation.  Imagine also, every objection that might come your way, and see yourself handling those objections with grace and confidence.
• If it’s approaching that beautiful girl at the coffee shop, imagine yourself striking up a conversation confidently, and holding a great engaging conversation with the person.  Imagine everything that could go right.

You may be asking yourself, ‘Is building confidence really this easy?’ And the answer to that question is yes, it is that easy, so long as you put in the time to visualize your ideal outcomes.

With that said, let’s move on to our next confidence building strategy.

7. BUILD CONFIDENCE WITH ENCOURAGING QUOTES

Below you will find 20 power quotes that you can reference at your leisure.  Once you have read all of them, consider coming back to the ones that really speak to you.

The quote that moves you the most is the quote that will be most helpful to read when you need to take action on anything that you are resistant to do.

1. “Fear, the worst of all enemies, can be effectively cured by forced repetition of acts of courage.” – Napoleon Hill

2.  “Fearlessness isn’t a divine gift.  Fearlessness is a daily practice.” – Robin Sharma

3.   “There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.” – Paulo Coelho

4.  “Too many of us are not living our dreams because we are living our fears.” – Les Brown

5.   “There is only one way to avoid criticism:  Do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.” – Aristotle

6.   “A human becomes fearless by accepting his/her fears.  It is not a question of bravery.  It is simply seeing into the facts of life and realizing that these fears are natural.” – Osho

7.    “He who is not every day conquering some fear has not learned the secret of life.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

8.   “Safe is Risky” – Seth Godin

9.    “Life is being on the wire, everything else is just waiting” – Karl Wallenda

10.    “Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly ” – Robert F. Kennedy

11.    “Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go.” – T.S. Eliot

12.    “Greatness lives on the edge of destruction” – Will Smith

13.  “Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage” – Anais Nin

14.    “Do not wait to strike till the iron is hot: but make it hot by striking” – William B. Sprague

15.   “It is never too late to be what you might have been” – George Elliot

16.   “The most important thing to remember is this:  To be ready at any moment to give up what you are for what you might become. ” – D.E.B Dubois

17.    “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.  So throw off the bowlines.  Sail from the safe harbor.  Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore.  Dream.  Discover.” – Mark Twain

18.   “The only person who never makes mistakes is the person who never does anything” – Dennis Waitely

19.    “People who don’t take risks generally make about two big mistakes a year.  People who do take risks generally make about two big mistakes a year.” – Peter Drucker

20.   “It is only by risking our persons from one hour to another that we live at all” – William James

If you’re looking for additional quotes to boost your confidence and help you life life fearlessly, these collections will do the trick:

• 100 Best Quotes on Courage
• 70 Confidence-Boosting Quotes
• 35 Quote For Fearlessness
• 25 No Guts No Glory Quotes

8. BUILD CONFIDENCE IN YOURSELF WITH THESE KEY QUESTIONS

The following four questions will bring new levels of clarity to every situation where a lack of confidence is involved.  It is suggested that you honestly ask these questions of yourself. 

Similarly, when faced with a future challenge or situation which induces anxiousness in you, ask yourselves these questions, and wait for your inside voice to answer the question for you.

After doing so, you should find that these questions have a calming effect on you, thus, gently banishing the fears that your mind has potentially built up around the task at hand. With that said, here are the questions:

Question 1:  What is really on the other side of this thing I am fearing at the moment?

The answer is always… NOTHING.

Question 2:  If I knew that I could handle anything that came my way, what would I possibly have to fear?

The answers is… NOTHING.

Question 3:  If the worst possible outcome related to doing this thing that is making me so afraid, actually happened, would I be able to handle the outcome?

The answer is…YES.

Question 4:  If I let this fear get the best of me, and allow it to keep me from doing that which  am afraid to accomplish, will I, on my deathbed, regret that I had not made the decision to do that thing which I so feared?

The answer is… IT IS UP TO YOU .

Related: Books For Confidence

9. DIGEST THESE CONFIDENCE-BUILDING TED TALK VIDEOS

To help you increase your confidence while simultaneously minimizing fear and its shrewd ability to limit our lives, we’ve curated four classic Ted Talks you should watch.  Our hope is that you’ll watch them and learn some new tactics that you can use to build your confidence and overcome your fears rapidly.

Here are the videos:

VIDEO 1:  AMY CUDDY

This is an extremely inspirational video by Social Psychologist Amy Cuddy.  She provides amazing insight into how research is starting to suggest that we are influenced by our own non-verbal communication to ourselves. 

In short, she reveals how our non-verbal’s (like body language) can influence how we think and feel about ourselves. Put another way, she demonstrates how you can manipulate your body to build confidence in yourself.

All in all, it’s full of great information to help you build confidence so you can become fearless.   Her last suggestion is what is most important.  “Fake it till you Become it”.  

VIDEO 2:  TIM FERRISS

Author of ‘Tools of Titans’ and productivity guru Tim Ferrids gives a nice intellectual breakdown on how he learned to deconstruct his fears so he can eventually conquer them.  If you watch the video till the end, he eventually ties all of his examples together to help you understand how you can overcome fear. 

His last two messages are by far the most important.  “Fear is your friend.” and “What is the worst that could happen?”

VIDEO 3:  JOE KOWAN

An entertaining and uplifting video that details how singer-songwriter  Joe Kowan eventually learned how to overcome his fear of being on stage.  Joe does this by ritually singing a stage fright song that he created before every event he does. 

It’s very powerful and it is a must watch for those who need to build confidence for getting on stage or in front of large groups of people.  Click on the image above to learn how to fearless and confident through learning.

VIDEO 4:  JIA JANG

Author of ‘Rejection Proof’, Jia Jiang, provides a very funny, informative, and helpful video for overcoming our fears.  He starts slow, but his message really picks up steam half way through.  By the end of the video, you will have laughed a dozen times and you will most certainly have gained some powerful insights for overcoming your fears and dealing with rejection. 

Jia Jiang’s last statement really knocks it out of the park, when he admonishes that we embrace our fears, because it is in doing so, that we are bound to discover our biggest opportunities.

10. FIND YOUR LIGHT

Why are we so afraid to do what we truly want in this life?  Why are we always letting other people’s opinions drive the decisions we make? 

Too many of us tuck our dreams and true interests away in some small corner at the first sign of disapproval from others. We don’t follow our own heart, we don’t we follow our light.  Why?

Robert Greene, said it so well in his book ‘Mastery’, as he pinpoints exactly what happens to so many people. In fact, it is what happens to all of us when we don’t follow our true inclinations.  He states the following:

“Conforming to social norms, you will listen more to others than to your own voice.  You may choose a career path based on what peers and parents tell you, or on what seems lucrative.  If you lose contact with your inner calling, you can have some success in life, but eventually your lack of true desire catches up with you.  Your work becomes mechanical.  You come to live for leisure and immediate pleasures.” [7]

So, if you are afraid to do what you truly want in this life, don’t be.  You only have one life to live, and none of us are getting out of here alive anyway.

If you are always letting other people’s opinions drive the decisions you make, or cause you to doubt yourself, with respect all due respect, stop!  Your opinions and interests matter, what interests you is important .

No more tucking your dreams and true interests away, no more hiding your talents because others may disapprove of them.  If you want to live a confident and fearless life, you have to follow your dreams .

This is the last act, because it requires the most self-examination and courage to act on your insights; however, it also harnesses the most potential to help you become confident, act boldly, and live fearlessly.  

Thus, to help you follow you fire, your light, your dreams, you first need to know exactly what it is that YOU want .  Thus, this strategy is an exercise to help you discover what your calling is, so you can follow it.

Once you’ve completed the self-discovery process, focus on bringing it to life by making plans to live it.

FIND YOUR CALLING EXERCISE

Below is a tool to help you find your light, your fire, or whatever you want to call it.

Ultimately, it is a questionnaire that will help you bring more clarity to your life. Improved clarity leads to confidence, and confidence leads to action, and action eventually turns into results.

Give it a look here: Find Your Light Guide

IMPLEMENTATION

By answering all of the questions in the guide provided, and giving each one your sincere and thorough consideration, you’ll discover a deeper awareness of who you are, what makes you happy, and what you should be doing with your life. All of these things will help you build confidence in yourself.

When every decision you make, every action you take is aligned with the fulfillment of the life objective you discover from this exercise, you will, without a doubt, have the confidence to truly live fearlessly.

BUILDING THE CONFIDENCE TO LIVE LIFE FEARLESSLY

A final word of caution. There is nothing more crushing in your pursuit of becoming your absolute best or in deciding to become who you truly want to be, then by having someone within your inner circle question your intentions and doubt your possibilities. 

“THERE IS NOTHING ENLIGHTENED ABOUT SHRINKING SO THAT OTHER PEOPLE WILL NOT FEEL INSECURE AROUND YOU.  WE ARE ALL MEANT TO SHINE.”    –  MARIANNE WILLIAMSON  –

As you’ve probably experienced, fear and doubt can spread swiftly like a virus.  As such, you must take proper precautions to make yourself immune to its infection. 

A good starting point, in making yourself immune, is to understand that doubters are simply afraid.  They are afraid of not living up to their potential, afraid that you may outshine them.  These individuals, will claw and scrape, and try to hurt you, to keep you fearful of life, fearful of your very best .

Often times, they don’t do this consciously. It’s their subconscious insecurities that compel them to lash out. And they lash out at you because they have yet to find the courage to face their fears and pursue their potential as you do.

If possible, remove these doubters from your life.  Remove, as best as you can, anyone who doubts your potential. Remove anyone who doubts your skills, your abilities, your choices, your greatness. 

If you can’t completely remove these people from your life, then distance yourself from them.  Spend as little time around them as possible, so as to minimize their negative influences on you. 

If distancing yourself from them is not an option, then you must create a mental firewall to negate their negativity, to negate their doubts.  A simple way to do this, is to convince yourself that their judgement no longer holds the weight that it once had.

Begin at once, to see yourself as a lion, and ‘them’ as the sheep (because that’s what they are). Reinforce your mental firewall with the following thought….

“A LION DOESN’T CONCERN HIMSELF WITH THE OPINIONS OF THE SHEEP.”    –  ANONYMOUS  –

A final word of encouragement. Congratulations, you now know how to be fearless and confident. You are truly equipped with the tools to become as confident as you want to be.  The choice to embrace your new found confidence and live life fearlessly is now solely up to you.

We encourage you to decide to be confident today, to make the decision to believe that you can handle whatever this world throws at you.  If you make this simple decision, and practice our recommended strategies, you will in effect be choosing to be fearless, and as a result, you will be. 

If the fears and doubts begin to creep back in, remember that you can rely on the power of belief and the power of pursuit, to drive your fears away.

As you move forward to build confidence in yourself, towards taking on new and greater challenges, we are sure everything in life will begin to change for you. 

Believe that you can do whatever it is that you wish to do.  Have faith in yourself, have faith in your vision, believe that you deserve the best, because my friend, you do. 

STRIVE To Go Fearless!

[1] Susan Jeffers Ph.D., Feel The Fear and Do It Anyway (New York: Ballantine Books, 2007), 22.

[2] David J. Schwartz Ph.D., The Magic of Thinking Big (New York: Prentice Hall, 1965), 52.

[3] Susan Jeffers, Feel The Fear and Do It Anyway (New York: Ballantine Books, 2007), 36.

[4] Napoleon Hill, Think and Grow Rich (Connecticut: THE RALSTON SOCIETY, 1938), 57,58.

[5] Napoleon Hill, Think and Grow Rich (Connecticut: THE RALSTON SOCIETY, 1938), 59, 60.

[6] Susan Jeffers Ph.D., Feel The Fear and Do It Anyway (New York: Ballantine Books, 2007), 26.

[7] Robert Greene, Mastery (New York: Penguin Group, 2012), 13,14.

COPYRIGHT © TheSTRIVE, 2023.  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

THE SELF-CONFIDENCE FORMULA

Self Confidence is everything.  In fact, if you don’t have it, your chances of finding serious success in any endeavor is going to be limited.

Now, we are not saying you can’t succeed without confidence.  But, we are saying that it will be difficult to gain massive success without it.  And massive success is the key word.

Don’t believe us? Try naming one extremely successful person who isn’t self-confident.

Exactly.  We couldn’t come up with a name either.

What is Confidence?

Now, confidence isn’t the same as charisma. Too many people get the two mixed up. Charisma is when someone has a compelling attractiveness about them, a charm if you will, that allows them to typically inspire devotion in others. However, confidence on the other hand, is the deep knowing that you can do something. It is a calmness of mind that stems from having trust in your ability to do a certain thing well.

Of course people succeed all the time without having the charisma of Winston Churchill, Neil Patrick Harris , or Matthew McConaughey, but succeeding without confidence is a completely different story.

“One of the key factors of legendary success is to learn how to generate your own self-confidence.” – Robin Sharma

Without Confidence You Won’t Do This….

Here’s why.  When you lack self-confidence, you essentially don’t believe in yourself.  And when you don’t believe in yourself, you won’t take action .

Needless to say, the less action you take, the less likely you’ll be to run into opportunity.  And without opportunity, you can’t really find success.

Why?  Because success is never something that is given.  Success is something that is always earned.

And success keeps her distance from those who don’t take action.

You can’t seize your moment, or take risks on those slivers of opportunity that rarely present themselves, if you are not taking action.

In short, we can’t succeed, we won’t succeed, without first having self-confidence.

If success requires anything…. above all else it requires action, and action requires self-confidence.

Can You Teach Yourself Confidence?

The great news is, you can teach yourself how to be more confident. You can increase your confidence levels because confidence, much like a muscle, can be strengthened by use. And if you can teach yourself confidence, you can take more action. And if take more action, you can be become about as successful as you want to be.

More confidence will lead to more action, and more action will lead to more success.

Related: How to Become an Extrovert

The Key to More Action

With that being said, we want to give you a powerful tool that will help you become more confident.  We want to give you a key to taking more action , and from that action, the attainment of more success.  This key, is called the self-confidence formula.

This self confidence formula is a simple tool that various members of our team still use daily to gain and maintain the confidence needed to crush our days.

This tool has been a big part of our morning routine for years now, and it has helped us strengthen our belief in our ability to do…. well, just about anything!

This formula that we use stems from Napoleon Hill’s classic book, ‘Think and Grow Rich’.   If you haven’t read the book yet, then we highly recommend you read it [ Click Here to Download for Free ]. 

Of course, you don’t have to read the book before putting this effective confidence formula to work for you.

The formula is essentially a declaration that you read to yourself. It contains a handful of hidden affirmations (auto-suggestion) that will gradually work on your subconscious minds.

It is suggested that you read it aloud, with an open mind, and with faith that it can help fortify your confidence. It will require some faith on your part, but I can assure you, if you believe in it, it will work.

Related: Think and Grow Rich Quotes

So without further ado, below is your new highly effective confidence tool that you will be sure to benefit from. Here you go:

• I know that I have the ability to achieve the object of my Definite Purpose in life. Therefore, I demand of myself persistent, continuous action towards its attainment, and I here and now promise to take such action.
• I realize the dominating thoughts of my mind will eventually reproduce themselves in outward, physical action and gradually transform themselves into physical reality. Therefore, I will concentrate my thoughts for 30 minutes daily upon the task of thinking of the person I intend to become, thereby creating in my mind a clear mental picture of that person.
• I know through the principle of autosuggestion that any desire I persistently hold in my mind will eventually seek expression through some practical means of attaining the object. Therefore, I will devote 10 minutes daily to demanding of myself the development of self-confidence.
• I have clearly written down a description of my Definite Chief Aim in life. I will never stop trying until I have developed sufficient self-confidence for its attainment.
• I fully realize that no wealth or position can long endure unless built upon truth and justice. Therefore, I will engage in no transaction that does not benefit all whom it affects. I will succeed by attracting to myself the forces I wish to use, and the cooperation of other people. I will induce others to serve me because of my willingness to serve others.  I will eliminate hatred, envy, jealousy, selfishness and cynicism by developing love for all humanity because I know that a negative attitude towards others can never bring me success.  I will cause others to believe in me, because I will believe in them, and in myself.  I will sign my name to this formula, commit it to memory and repeat it aloud once a day, with full faith that it will gradually influence my thoughts and actions so that I will become a self-reliant and successful person.

Related: Self-Confidence Affirmations

Final Thoughts

There you have it!  A powerful and simple way to increase your confidence, and it’s free and available for you to use whenever you want.

Please don’t underestimate the power of this self-confidence formula.

Trust us when we say, it has the ability to level up your life.  We promise you. But, you’ll have to have a little faith and apply it habitually.

“What could we accomplish if we knew we could not fail?” – Elanor Roosevelt

To do so, consider reading this formula daily so that you make it habit to build your confidence .  The changes it will make in how you feel will amaze you. But ever more amazing, will be how other begin to notice the shift in your presence.

Moreover, you’ll impress yourself by how much more daring you’ll be in your own life.  Your new-found willingness to take more action, will undoubtedly open new doors for you.

It’s time to unleash that extremely confident titan residing deep down inside of you. Use this confidence formula to awaken that giant from its slumber! Your successful future-self, will thank you for it!

PS –  If you enjoyed this resource and found value in it, then you’ll enjoy this confidence booster and this list of great reads .

10 BEST WAYS TO STOP NEGATIVE SELF-TALK

When you woke up this morning, stumbled over to the mirror, and had a good long gander, what was the first thing you said to yourself? Did you give yourself a solid pep talk, remind yourself how awesome you are and think about all the ways you were going to crush it today? Probably not. You let that trash-talking peanut gallery in your head make you feel like you’re inadequate. Enough! If you’re going to take on the world and conquer it, you’ve got to know how to stop negative self-talk.

Negative self-talk is a symptom of something greater than just a lack of self-confidence. It can stem from years of not feeling support, an unending string of what we perceive to be failure, and an inability to see our potential. The roots of pervasive negativity can go all the way back to our childhood and manifest because we have unfinished business there, or it can be because we never developed a sense of resilience.

Overcoming negative self-talk isn’t merely an exercise in changing our mindset (although, that is a vital component for transformation), but a process which we have to be open to, so we can realize that on the other side of “I can’t” is an infinite world of “I absolutely can!”

You know that ol’ adage, “If we don’t respect ourselves, how can we expect anyone else to respect us?” The same goes for negative self-talk. We can’t lean on others to believe in us if we’re sitting in the back row doing an audit on our life instead of realizing that we are exceptional. So let’s dive in and learn some strategies to change our inner conversations and overcome negative self-talk for good.

HOW TO STOP NEGATIVE SELF-TALK

1. Call Your Critic By Name

Don’t roll your eyes, hear me out. You have been throwing shade at yourself for so long, you probably don’t even recognize when you’re being negative. That inner critic has latched onto you like a parasite and it’s time to set it free.

Give that critic a name, something funny. And every time you hear or catch yourself thinking something negative or critical, talk to your inner critic as if it were a person. Let it know it’s gunning for a break-up, and it’s just a matter of time.

If you feel comfortable enough, share the name of your inner critic with your friends and family so when they recognize you being negative, they can keep you accountable.

2. Talk it Out to Overcome Negative Self-Talk

Keeping with the theme of reaching out to friends and family, overcoming negative self-talk is a journey. It doesn’t happen overnight. And chances are, the ones closest to you (including your boss) have suffered alongside you. They are just as invested in your becoming a happier, more positive person as you are.

So when you feel yourself slipping into the doldrums, shoot a text to a trusted confidant and run those thoughts by them. If you’re mid-rant, telling yourself how useless you are, wouldn’t it be liberating to have someone chime in to tell you how smart, hardworking and kind you are?

Of course. It’s going to take a few battles to win the war, don’t be afraid to enlist the help of trusty troops.

3. If You Can’t Get Positive, Go Neutral

There is no pill for overcoming negative self-talk (though some may disagree). It takes work. Placing pressure on yourself to be all rainbows and sunshine right out of the gate only sets you up for failure, putting you in a headspace where negativity begets negativity.

Take baby steps. Start with very simple language changes. Swap out sentences like, “I can’t do this” or “this will never,” with phrases like, “I just need more time” and “maybe this can.”

This may seem trivial and ridiculous, but we’re talking about the power of language. Think about how destructive your language has been to you and your life. If you’re not ready to fully commit to complete transformation , let’s at least crack the door open, and explore some possibilities.

4. Stay in the Moment

Whew! This is a tough one, especially when one of your favourite things to do (subconsciously) is to focus on the absolute worst case scenario of everything in life. But unless you’ve discovered time travel, you have absolutely no idea what is going to happen.

Stop focusing on the “what if” and get your head in the game by being comfortable with the “right now.”

5. Get Off the Guilt Trip

Avid negative self-talkers love to pack their bags and head out on the most epic guilt trips. Guilt tripping lets you take inventory of every single minute thing that you didn’t get done, and then you get to revel in your failure to complete things. What about focusing on all the things you accomplished instead?

If you want to overcome negative self-talk, take 15 minutes out of your day every day and write down everything you accomplished. No detail is too small. From brushing your teeth, to closing a sale, to doing a load of laundry. You’re getting stuff done; you’re just too focused on what you feel like you should be doing.

6. Stop Pretending to Read Minds

Unless you’ve been side-gigging as a psychic, you have absolutely no idea what’s going on in someone else’s head. Read that again. If they haven’t told you, you have no idea what someone else is thinking.

So why are you creating negative dialogues about what they might be thinking about you? You need to stop attaching meaning to everything someone says to you, and stop fabricating stories that say bad things about you.

7. Surround Yourself With Positive People

Sure, opposites attract, but rarely do individuals who regularly engage in negative self-talk attract happy, positive people, and there’s good reason for that; happy people like to surround themselves with other happy people. If you exist in a circle of negativity outside of yourself, what hope do you have of making a transformation?

Make some social adjustments. If you’ve got family members who are enabling you or engage in negative self-talk, take a step back. Tell them you love them, but you need to make some changes for your mental well being.

8. Shift Your Perspective to Stop Negative Self-Talk

Pffft! Easier said than done, right? Sure, but totally worth a try. Take an inventory of your fears, your concerns, your challenges. Write them out, and read them back to yourself. Now write down why you think you’re incapable of overcoming these things.

Are they really so difficult? Are you asking yourself to climb Everest with no equipment next weekend? Are you being asked to solve world hunger by 2023? How dire are these issues you’re facing? You can absolutely push through whatever is holding you back from unleashing your potential. 

9. Simplify Your Social Media Influences

Don’t panic, I’m not telling you to get off social media…completely. What I am asking you to do is to take a deep dive on who and what you are letting influence your inner dialogue on the social media landscape.

Are you following positive people and brands? Do you spend hours and hours disappearing down social media rabbit holes, only to come up for air feeling even less adequate than when you swiped into the app? Clear the decks! If you’re not following accounts that make you feel like a rock star, or share positive narratives, you do not need them in your life right now.

10. Become Someone Else’s Hype Person

Helping others makes us feel good. It gets those endorphins pumping. But it also has a sneaky way of making us feel better about ourselves, and we tend to hold our chins a little higher. Consider taking on a mentorship role to someone in your life.

It could be a friend starting a business or a colleague who needs some support in getting that next promotion. Engaging in supportive dialogue with someone we care about can retrain our brains into quieting our own inner critics.

Final Thoughts on Negative Self-Talk

Negative self-talk is akin to cancer. It can permeate every aspect of our life, impacting our career aspirations, family and friend dynamics, and relationships. The great news is, it’s not a permanent state of being, it’s a choice.

Like everything in life, anything worth having requires time, effort and dedication, but once you cross that threshold into living a more positive existence , everything gets easier from there on out. So, if you’re ready to overcome negative self-talk for good, put these tips to good use daily.

PS – If you enjoyed this article on how to stop negative self-talk, then you’ll enjoy this read on how changing your mindset can can change your life, and you may even find value in these powerful affirmations for confidence .

50+ SELF-ESTEEM QUOTES TO INSPIRE YOU TO REACH FOR THE STARS

Having high self-esteem and confidence is critical to living a high quality life, and these quotes about self-esteem and confidence can help.  Without a strong sense of self and confidence in one’s abilities, life can be a struggle.  Low self-esteem can impact your professional success, your relationship success, and whether or not your reach for the stars and the best life has to offer. Consequently, having a low self-esteem and lacking confidence can greatly impact how your life turns out in general.

“Beauty Begins The Moment You Decide To Be Yourself.” – coco chanel –

So, considering how important having a high-self esteem is to living life to the fullest, we’ve pulled together these handful of quotes about self-esteem and confidence for you to use the next time you start doubting yourself and your self-worth.

Please use them to remind yourself that you are more capable and powerful then you know. Leverage them as encouragement to reach for the stars and unleash your potential into the world. So, without further ado, enjoy these top inspiring quotes about self-esteem and confidence :

BEST SELF-ESTEEM QUOTES FOR LOW-CONFIDENCE

1.   “Give what you have. To someone, it may be better than you dare to think.”  –  Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

2.   “As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live.”  –  Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

3.   “The greatest discovery of my generation, is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitude of mind. ”  –  William James

4.  “Low self-esteem is like driving through life with your hand-break on.”  –  Maxwell Maltz

5.   “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”  –  Ralph Waldo Emerson

6.  “The only thing that’s keeping you from getting what you want is the story you keep telling yourself.”  –  Tony Robbins

7.  “You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.”  –  Buddha

8.   “To establish true self-esteem we must concentrate on our successes and forget about the failures and the negatives in our lives.”  –  Denis Waitley

9.   “If you don’t love yourself, nobody will. Not only that, you won’t be good at loving anyone else. Loving starts with the self.”  –  Wayne Dyer

10.   “It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves.”  –  Sir Edmund Hillary

11.  “Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing that we’ll ever do.”  –  Brené Brown

12.   “When you have confidence, you have a lot of fun.  And when you have fun, you can do amazing things.”  –  Joe Namath

13.   “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”  –  Ralph Waldo Emerson

14.   “Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.” – Dale Carnegie

15.   “Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.”  –  Helen Keller

16.    “All confidence is acquired, developed.  No one is born with confidence.” – David J. Schwartz

17.   “Self-esteem is made up primarily of two things: feeling lovable and feeling capable.” – Jack Canfield

18.   “Successful people have fear, successful people have doubts, and successful people have worries. They just don’t let these feelings stop them.”  –  T. Harv Eker

19.   “Confidence is a habit that can be developed by acting as if you already had the confidence you desire to have. ”  –  Brian Tracy

20.   “Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.”  –  William James

21.   “Love yourself first and everything else falls into line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world.”  –  Lucille Ball

22.   “Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy.”  –  Norman Vincent Peale

23.   “Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are.” – Kurt Cobain

24.   “The strongest single factor in prosperity consciousness is self-esteem: believing you can do it, believing you deserve it, believing you will get it.”  –  Jerry Gillies

25.   “The man who does not value himself, cannot value anything or anyone.”  –  Ayn Rand

26.   “Respect yourself and others will respect you.”  –  Confucius

27.   “Nothing builds self-esteem and self-confidence like accomplishment .”  –  Thomas Carlyle

28.   “Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.”  –  Judy Garland

29.   “You either walk inside your story and own it or you stand outside your story and hustle for your worthiness.” – Brené Brown

30.   “Your value doesn’t decrease based on someone’s inability to see your worth .”  – Anonymous

31.  “Confidence is not “they will like me”.  Confidence is “I’ll be fine if they don’t.”  –  Anonymous

32.   “Look well into thyself;  there is a source of strength which will always spring up if thou wilt always look.”  –  Marcus Aurelius 

33.   “In my mind, not just this year, always, I am always the best.  And I am always going to say that.”  –  Cristiano Ronaldo

34.   “If you are not in the process of becoming the person you want to be, you are automatically engaged in becoming the person you don’t want to be.”  –  Dale Carnegie

35. “Someone else’s opinion of you does not have to become your reality.” – Les Brown

36. “To fall in love with yourself is the first secret to happiness.” – Robert Morley

37. “My self-esteem is high because I honor who I am.” – Louise Hay

38. “You have been criticizing yourself for years, and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.” – Louise Hay

39. “Nothing can bring you peace but yourself.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

40. “The only thing that matters in life, is your own opinion about yourself.” – Osho

41. “Only make decisions that support your self-image, self-esteem, and self-worth.” – Oprah Winfrey

42. “To love yourself right now, just as you are, is to give yourself heaven. Don’t wait until you die. If you wait, you die now. If you love, you live now.” – Alan Cohen

43. “One’s dignity may be assaulted, vandalized and cruelly mocked, but it can never be taken away unless it is surrendered.” – Michael J. Fox

44. “Accept yourself, love yourself, and keep moving forward.” – Roy Bennett

45. “Never bend your head. Hold it high. Look the world straight in the eye.” – Helen Keller

46. “Your chances of success in any undertaking can always be measured by your belief in yourself.” – Robert Collier

47. “The most delightful surprise in life is to suddenly recognize your own worth.” – Maxwell Maltz

48. “Watch your thoughts . Every thought accepted as true is sent by your brain to your solar plexus — your abdominal brain — and is brought into your world as a reality.” – Joseph Murphy

49. “I used to hate feeling embarrassed, but then I realized nobody’s watching and nobody gives a damn.” – Barbara Corcoran

50. “Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice.” – Steve Jobs

51. “The self-image is the key to human personality and human behavior. Change the self-image and you change the personality and the behavior.” – Maxwell Maltz

Bonus Quote on Self-Esteem

Bonus: Alright, here’s our last and final self-esteem quote. We believe it packs a punch, and can be used as a catalyst to dive into conquering your confidence challenges for good. Enjoy:

“No One Will Believe In You Until You Believe In You.” – ROBIN SHARMA –

One of our main goals here at The STRIVE is to help you believe that you have what it takes to be who you want to be, do what you want to do, so you can leverage that belief to strive to live the life you’ve always imagined for yourself.

And that’s where these self-esteem quotes come in, and what we love about them so much. Because quotes have the ability to uplift and inspire the reader.  And in the case of these quotes about self-esteem and confidence in particular, we hope they succeeded in encouraging you to believe in yourself . But most importantly, we hope these quotes help you realize deep down, that you do have a lot to offer this world, and that you have what it takes to shoot for the stars.

With that being said, we believe in you, but what matters most is that you believe in you , and that is a feat that is entirely up to you.

So, till you reach your aims,

PS – If you enjoyed these self-esteem quotes, then you’ll love these trust yourself quotes !

35+ FEARLESS QUOTES TO HELP YOU BE FEARLESS AND LIVE BOLDLY

Being fearless is not about never being afraid. It’s about feeling the fear, and diving in anyway. Fearlessness is oftentimes about being scared to death, but still saddling up to take on whatever beast or challenge that lies ahead of you. And because sometimes, filling our minds with a few strong quotes related to being fearless can embolden us to do what we must, we’re publishing these handful of fearless quotes for you.

So, if you’re seeking some inspiring words to help you be more fearless, then this page is for you. We’ve rounded up the most powerful fearless quotes to give you the courage to stand tall, take more risks, and never back down.

With that being said, if you’re ready for some encouraging words to help you become fearless, let’s dive in:

BEST FEARLESS QUOTES

1. “To avoid criticism, say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.” – Elbert Hubbard

2. “The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it.” – Moliere

3.  “I’m not afraid of dying, I’m afraid of not trying.” – Jay Z

4.  “The important thing is not being afraid to take a chance. Remember, the greatest failure is to not try. Once you find something you love to do, be the best at doing it.” – Debbi Fields

5. “When there is no peril in the fight there is no glory in the triumph.” – Pierre Cornielle

6. “If you never want to be criticized, for goodness’ sake don’t do anything new.” – Jeff Bezos

7. “Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there’s something inside you that’s greater than any obstacle.” –  C.D. Larson

8.  “One finds limits by pushing them.” – Herbert Simon

9.  “Action may not always bring happiness; but there is no happiness without action.” – Benjamin Disraeli

10. “The arch enemy of mankind, is FEAR.” – Napoleon Hill

11. “There are risks and costs to action. But they are far less than the long range risks of comfortable inaction.” – JFK

12.   “Without dreams, there can be no courage. And without courage, there can be no action.” – Wim Wenders

13. “Go for it now. The future is promised to no one.” – Wayne Dyer

14. “There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.” – Paulo Coelho

15. “Fear, much like resistance, is nothing but the human motive of aversion.” – The STRIVE

16. “Failure is an option here.  If things are not failing, you are not innovating enough.” – Cher

17. “The beautiful thing about fear is that when you run to it.. it runs away.” – Robin Sharma

18.  “Fear kills more dreams that failure ever will.” – Anonymous

19.  “Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I’ll try again tomorrow.” – Mary Anne Radmache

Related: Fearless Motivation Quotes

20.  “Your largest fear, carries you greatest growth.” – James Allen

21.  “If something is important enough, even if the odds are against you, you should still do it.” – Elon Musk

22.  “Don’t let the fear of what could happen make nothing happen.” – Anonymous

23.  “A ship is safe in harbor, but that’s not what ships are for.” –  William G.T. Shedd

24.  “Cultivate a fearless approach to life, attack everything with boldness and energy.” – Robert Greene

25. “To escape fear, you have to go through it, not around it.” –  Richie Norton

26.  “Do the thing you fear and the death of fear is certain.” –  Ralph Waldo Emerson

27. “Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear – not absence of fear.” – Mark Twain

28. “Freedom lies in being bold.” – Robert Frost

29. “Before you can become a millionaire, you must learn to think like one. You must learn how to motivate yourself to counter fear with courage.” – Thomas J. Stanley

30. “Fate loves the fearless.” – James Russell Lowell

31. “The more you are motivated by love; The more fearless and free your action will be.” – Dalai Lama

32. “Once you become fearless, life becomes limitless.” – Anonymous

33. “Don’t be pushed around by the fears in your mind. Be led by the dreams in your heart.” – Roy T. Bennet

34. “Eighty percent of success is showing up.” – Woody Allen

35. “Limits, like fears, are often just an illusion.” – Michael Jordan

36. “Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.” – Anais Nin

37.  “There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.” – Paulo Coelho

38. “The most effective way to do it, is to do it.” – Amelia Earhart

39. “Fearlessness is the first requisite of spirituality. Cowards can never be moral.” – Mahatma Gandhi

40. “There is no illusion greater that fear.” – Lao Tzu

41. “Regret is the heritage of people who choose to live a fear-driven life.” – Taneka Rubin

42. “The eagle has no fear of adversity. We need to be like the eagle and have a fearless spirit of a conqueror!” – Joyce Meyer

43. “Being fearless isn’t being 100% not fearful, it’s being terrified but you jump anyway.” – Taylor Swift

44. “FEAR has two meanings: ‘Forget Everything And Run’ or ‘Face Everything And Rise.’ The choice is yours.” – Zig Ziglar

45. “We grow fearless by walking into our fears.” – Robin Sharma

46. “To many of us are not living our dreams because we are living our fears.” – Les Brown

47. “Let fear be a counselor and not a jailer.” – Tony Robbins

48. “Fears, even the most basic ones, can totally destroy your ambitions. Fear, if left unchecked, can destroy our lives. Fear is one of the many enemies lurking inside of us.” – Jim Rohn

49. “The key to success is to start before you’re ready.” – Marie Forleo

50. “Life begins where fear ends.” – Osho

51. “Courage above all things, is the first quality of a warrior.” – Karl von Clausewitz

52. “Fears are a kind of prison that confines you within a limited range of action. The less you fear, the more power you will have and the more fully you will live.” – 50 cent

53. “Death is not the biggest fear we have; our biggest fear is taking the risk to be alive – the risk to be alive and express what we really are.”  –  Don Miguel Ruiz

54 . “Everything you want is on the other side of fear.” – Jack Canfield

55. “Let me not pray to be sheltered from dangers, but to be fearless in facing them.” – Rabindranath Tagor

Bonus Fearless Quote

Bonus: Alright, here is one last bonus quote that we think deserves special attention. We hope it inspires you as much as it inspires us. Here you go:

“Fear Doesn’t Go Away. The Warrior And The Artist Live By The Same Code Of Necessity, Which Dictates That The Battle Must Be Fought Anew Every Day.” – Steven Pressfield –

Final Thougths

There you have it friends, some of the best fearless quotes to help you conquer the timidity that would keep you from living your greatest life.

May these handful of fearless quotes serve you well, as you strive to reach your goals and unleash your potential

Till you reach your aims, Go Fearless , and…

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100+ HARD WORK QUOTES TO HELP YOU GET MOTIVATED FOR WORK

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16 Public Speaking Tips for Students

It's normal to be nervous—here's how to relax

• Use Relaxation Strategies

Maintain Perspective

Be confident when speaking.

Public speaking can *really* hard, especially if you struggle with social anxiety or if you don't have a lot of experience talking in front of groups. Research suggests that 61% of university students in the U.S. have a fear of public speaking. Fortunately, many strategies can help you build your confidence and strengthen your public speaking skills.

Public speaking tips for students aim to reduce anxiety that can interfere with giving presentations or speeches in class. These tips aren't just helpful for speaking in front of a big group. If you have social anxiety disorder (SAD) ,  these strategies can also help you feel more comfortable speaking in front of a group or telling a story among friends.

At a Glance

If you have social anxiety and need to give a speech  in elementary school, high school, college, or university, it helps to be as prepared as possible . Beyond preparation, however, there are strategies that you can use to reduce anxiety...without feeling like the urge to fake an illness so you can stay home and skip it.

Practice, preparation, and relaxation strategies are essential for students dealing with anxiety about public speaking. It's also important to maintain perspective; remember, other people get nervous, too! As you practice, you'll start to feel more confident about talking in front of groups, which will help you present your best self with a lot less anxiety.

Practice Your Public Speaking

Even great speakers practice their speeches beforehand. Practice out loud with a recording device or video camera, and then watch yourself to see how you can improve. If you are feeling brave, practice in front of a friend or family member and ask for feedback.

Research has even shown that imaginary practice can be an effective way to combat feelings of public speaking anxiety.

Talk About What You Know

If possible, choose a topic for your speech or presentation that you know a lot about and love. The audience will feel your passion for the topic, and you will feel less anxious knowing that you have a lot of experience to draw from when other students ask you questions.

Talking about things you are knowledgeable about can help you feel more confident and comfortable when you are speaking in public.

Concentrate on Your Message

When you focus on the task at hand, anxiety is less likely to get out of control. Concentrate on the main message of your speech or presentation and make it your goal to deliver that message to the other students in your class.

Grab the Audience's Attention

Most of your fellow classmates will pay attention for at least the first 20 seconds; grab their attention during those early moments. Start with an interesting fact or a story that relates to your topic. Other ways you can generate interest include:

• Asking rhetorical questions
• Inspiring emotion
• Generating curiosity
• Relating an interesting historical event

Have One Main Message

Focus on one central theme, and your classmates will learn more. Tie different parts of your talk to the main theme to support your overall message. Trying to cover too much ground can leave other students (and you) feeling overwhelmed.

Tell Stories

Stories catch the attention of other students and deliver a message in a more meaningful way than facts and figures. Whenever possible, use a story to illustrate a point in your talk.

Preparation Can Reduce Public Speaking Anxiety

Being prepared to speak in public can also be important if you have social anxiety disorder. Feeling confident and prepared to give your speech may help lessen your feelings of anxiety. Some of the things that you can do to prepare include:

Visit the Room

If you have access to the classroom where you will be speaking outside of class hours, take the time to visit in advance and get used to standing at the front of the room. Make arrangements for any audio-visual equipment and practice standing in the exact spot where you will deliver your speech.

Unfamiliarity can often make social anxiety worse. By making yourself more comfortable with the setting and room where you'll be delivering your speech, you'll feel much more at ease.

Rack Up Experience

Volunteer to speak in front of your class as often as possible. Be the first one to raise your hand when a question is asked. Your confidence will grow with every public speaking experience.

Researchers have found that practicing in a virtual format can also be helpful. You might try out virtual experiences that allow you to practice in front of a supportive audience or invite friends and family to watch you practice your presentation in person or through video conferencing.

Observe Other Speakers

Take the time to watch other speakers who are good at what they do. Practice imitating their style and confidence. Consider attending local events or presentations at your school. Watching TED Talks or speeches on YouTube can also be helpful.

Organize Your Talk

Every speech should have an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. Structure your talk so that the other students know what to expect. Then write it down on notecards and spend time practicing what you will say.

Use Relaxation Strategies to Manage Anxiety

Taking steps to deal with your feelings of anxiety can also make public speaking easier. Fortunately, there are a lot of anxiety-fighting relaxation strategies that can help calm your mind and body.

It's a good idea to practice relaxation strategies before you give your speech. The more you practice them, the better you'll be able to use them when they are needed.

Some other things that you can do:

Tell Someone About Your Anxiety

If you are speaking in front of a high school or college class, meet with your teacher or professor and describe your public speaking fears . If you're in elementary or high school, share your fears with your parents, a teacher, or a guidance counselor.

Sometimes sharing how you feel can make it easier to overcome stage fright.

Visualize Confidence

Visualize yourself confidently delivering your speech, feeling free of anxiety, and engaging the students in your class. Although this may seem like a stretch for you now, visualization is a powerful tool for changing the way you feel.

Elite athletes use this strategy to improve their performance in competitions, and research has shown that it can be a helpful tool for combatting speech anxiety.

Proven Anxiety-Busters

Relaxation strategies can be super helpful for fighting speech anxiety. Some that you might try include:

• Deep breathing
• Progressive muscle relaxation
• Guided imagery
• Positive self-talk
• Mindfulness

Find a Friendly Face

If you are feeling anxious, find one of your friends in class (or someone who seems friendly) and imagine that you are speaking only to that person.

Press Play for Advice on Finding Courage

Hosted by therapist Amy Morin, LCSW, this episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast shares a strategy to help you find courage when you need it the most.

Follow Now : Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts

Remember that other students are on your side. Think about a time when you have been an audience member and the student delivering the speech or presentation was noticeably nervous. Did you think less of that student? More likely, you felt sympathetic and wanted to make that person more comfortable by smiling or nodding.

Remember—other students generally want you to succeed and feel comfortable. If, for some reason, the audience is not on your side or you experience  bullying  or social exclusion, be sure to discuss this with a parent, teacher, or guidance counselor.

Sometimes just knowing what makes a good speech can help you feel more confident. Focus on some of the following elements and practice them before you have to speak in public.

Develop Your Own Style

In addition to imitating good speakers, work on developing your own personal style as a public speaker. Integrate your own personality into your speaking style and you will feel more comfortable in front of the class. Telling personal stories that tie into your theme are a great way to let other students get to know you better.

Avoid Filler Words

Words such as "basically," "well," and "um" don't add anything to your speech. Practice being silent when you feel the urge to use one of these words.

Vary Your Tone, Volume, and Speed

Interesting speakers vary the pitch (high versus low), volume (loud versus soft), and speed (fast versus slow) of their words. Doing so keeps your classmates interested and engaged in what you say.

Make the Audience Laugh

Laughter is a great way to relax both you and the other students in your class, and telling jokes can be a great icebreaker at the beginning of a speech. Practice the timing and delivery of your jokes beforehand and ask a friend for feedback. Be sure that they are appropriate for your class before you begin.

If all else fails, smile. Your fellow classmates will perceive you like a warm speaker and be more receptive to what you have to say.

Don't Apologize

If you make a mistake, don't offer apologies. Chances are that your classmates didn't notice anyway. Unless you need to correct a fact or figure, there is no point dwelling on errors that probably only you noticed.

If you make a mistake because your hands or shaking, or something similar, try to make light of the situation by saying something like, "I wasn't this nervous when I woke up this morning!" This can help to break the tension of the moment.

It's natural to feel frightened the first time you have to speak in front of your class. However, if you fear continues, interferes with your daily life and keeps you awake at night, it may be helpful to see someone about your anxiety.

Try talking to a parent, teacher, or counselor about how you have been feeling. If that doesn't get you anywhere, ask to make an appointment with your doctor. Severe public speaking anxiety is a true disorder that can improve with treatment .

Gallego A, McHugh L, Penttonen M, Lappalainen R. Measuring public speaking anxiety: Self-report, behavioral, and physiological .  Behav Modif . 2022;46(4):782-798. doi:10.1177/0145445521994308

Spence SH, Rapee RM. The etiology of social anxiety disorder: An evidence-based model . Behav Res Ther. 2016;86:50-67. doi:10.1016/j.brat.2016.06.007

García-Monge A, Guijarro-Romero S, Santamaría-Vázquez E, Martínez-Álvarez L, Bores-Calle N. Embodied strategies for public speaking anxiety: evaluation of the Corp-Oral program .  Front Hum Neurosci . 2023;17:1268798. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2023.1268798

Kroczek LOH, Mühlberger A. Public speaking training in front of a supportive audience in Virtual Reality improves performance in real-life .  Sci Rep . 2023;13(1):13968. doi:10.1038/s41598-023-41155-9

Banushi B, Brendle M, Ragnhildstveit A, et al. Breathwork interventions for adults with clinically diagnosed anxiety disorders: A scoping review .  Brain Sci . 2023;13(2):256. doi:10.3390/brainsci13020256

Vogel WH, Viale PH. Presenting with confidence .  J Adv Pract Oncol . 2018;9(5):545-548.

By Arlin Cuncic, MA Arlin Cuncic, MA, is the author of The Anxiety Workbook and founder of the website About Social Anxiety. She has a Master's degree in clinical psychology.

6 Ways to Speak with Greater Confidence

Even if you're an anxious speaker, you can gain confidence through these skills..

Posted August 2, 2021 | Reviewed by Davia Sills

• Cultivating Confidence
• Take our Assertiveness Test
• Find a Self Esteem Therapist
• "Sensitive Strivers"—people who are both high-achieving and highly sensitive—often have trouble speaking up in work meetings.
• Preparing in advance for meetings and committing to speaking up within the first 15 minutes can help.
• It's also important to challenge any preexisting beliefs that may be holding you back from voicing your opinions and questions.

Another meeting is coming up at work, and you’re dreading it. But if you want to get ahead, it’s important to speak confidently in meetings.

This is a goal one of my clients, Allison, had when she first started coaching . She came to me asking, “Why do I get so nervous before speaking in a meeting?” The fear of speaking in meetings paralyzed her. Whenever it came time to contribute, Allison would freeze, overthink her response, and end up rambling. Afterward, she’d beat herself up and feel like an imposter—incapable of doing the very job she had been recruited for.

She was what I call a "Sensitive Striver."

Sensitive Strivers and Speaking Up in Meetings

Sensitive Strivers are high-achievers who are also highly sensitive—a term that describes 15 to 20 percent of the population who think and feel everything more deeply.

Common workplace situations that might be moderately stressful to the average person can cause a Sensitive Striver to shut down, especially when overwhelmed. You bring many assets and talents to the table, thanks to your ability to process information more thoroughly.

But it also means you are more susceptible to stress and emotional reactivity, particularly when it involves judgment or evaluation from others.

Are You a Sensitive Striver?

You may be a Sensitive Striver if you agree with most of the following:

• I experience emotions with depth and complexity.
• I have a strong desire to “exceed expectations.”
• My inner critic is always talking.
• I’m kind, compassionate, and empathetic .
• I often put others' needs before my own.
• I’m easily impacted by stress.
• I struggle to “turn off” my mind, which leads to overthinking.
• I have strong emotional reactions.
• I feel anxious when I’m caught off guard or being evaluated.
• I’m a perfectionist and judge myself harshly for mistakes.
• I often get stuck in indecision.
• I take feedback and criticism to heart.

Meetings are tough environments for Sensitive Strivers because:

• You genuinely enjoy listening to others’ ideas.
• You prefer to observe and absorb what’s happening before offering an opinion.
• You like to show respect by deferring to the leaders at the table.
• You tend to be more reserved.
• You are overwhelmed more easily and may freeze under pressure.
• You are able to see all sides of a situation, which leads to overthinking.
• You worry about what other people think of you.

Strategies to Speak Confidently in Meetings

Elevating your visibility at work is essential if you want your career to evolve and grow. You work hard and have great ideas to contribute—you should be making an impact and getting the recognition you deserve.

With a little practice from these tips, you’ll finally feel like the integral team member you’ve always been.

1. Banish pre-meeting jitters.

It’s normal to experience anticipatory stress when you feel as if your intelligence or contributions are being evaluated.

Instead of impugning your jitters as a sign that you’re inadequate or otherwise not up to the task at hand, Stanford psychologist Kelly McGonigal suggests befriending your stress response, reframing it as a sign you’re ready for action and prepared to bring your best to the (conference) table.

It’s also essential to bring down your baseline level of stimulation before a meeting. Allison, the client I told you about earlier, would use box breathing to shift her focus.

2. Ease into it.

It may be tempting to arrive right before a meeting starts to appear prompt or avoid awkward small talk. But if you feel rushed, this will only exacerbate the stress you feel.

Instead, plan to settle in before things get underway. Give yourself the opportunity to ease into the physical meeting space. If it’s a virtual teleconference, get comfortable with the webinar controls.

As colleagues arrive, focus on making conversation with one or two people at a time, which can give you an “in” of sorts as the meeting begins and the conversation turns towards agenda items.

3. Commit to speaking early.

It typically gets more difficult to enter the conversation as a meeting progresses. The longer you wait, the more your anxiety will build.

Growth often comes from discomfort, so push yourself to speak up early. Set a simple strategy to say something in the first 10 to 15 minutes of the session—whether it’s to welcome attendees, present your main argument, ask a question, or offer an opinion.

4. Use your strengths when speaking up.

Even soft-spoken Sensitive Strivers can still make an impact by backing up a coworker’s comment with a simple, “Great idea!”

You can also focus on asking powerful questions. As a Sensitive Striver, you’re very observant, which gives you an edge when it comes to posing the kind of thought-provoking questions that haven’t crossed your colleagues’ minds quite yet.

5. Be the one to take action on the "next" steps.

Did something come up in the meeting that could use more research? Commit to taking on something for the next meeting. It shows you have initiative and that you’re interested and invested in your organization.

6. Challenge your beliefs about contributing.

Growing up, what were you told about standing out? Were you given the message by your parents, teachers, and community that you could be whatever you wanted, or did you internalize concepts like, “People won’t like you if you try to stand out”?

If you find yourself easily devastated by real or imagined negative feedback should you express your ideas, consider that you may be reverting back to an immature identity when your self-esteem was more contingent on others’ opinions (especially those of authority figures).

Fear can signal you’re saying something of significance. Seize the moment. Stop playing small. Remember, you’re part of your organization because you’re qualified, you’re effective, and you matter.

As a Sensitive Striver, you’ve got a lot to offer. Now it’s time to let everyone know it.

LinkedIn and Facebook image: fizkes/Shutterstock

Melody Wilding, LMSW, a professor of Human Behavior at Hunter College, is an executive coach, a licensed social worker, and the author of Trust Yourself.

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