POWERFUL PUBLIC SPEAKING HABITS FOR 2019 – Part 2

In Part 1 of this blog, we began by identifying public speaking habits that will make us more effective speakers. Let’s continue with 3 more habits to that end.

Habit #5 – “Seek first to understand, then to be understood”- Steven Covey. What chance do we have of achieving any level of success if we don’t understand our audience. Let’s listen first before we even consider putting together or delivering a presentation. Most people don’t listen. Many are just waiting their turn to speak. Here are some questions you can ask yourself before you prepare your next speech:

* Who are they really?
* How much do they already know?
* What are their values?
* Are they in need of information?
* Do you know what problems they have?
* Why should they care about this?
* Do you know how they feel now?
* How do you want them to feel?

These are important questions that need to be asked and answered long before you begin to write your speech. When you make an effort to really understand your audience, you increase the likelihood of them understanding you.
Habit #6 – Synergize with your audience. Most people don’t like sitting quietly and listening to a presentation, but everyone likes to be a part of a good conversation. A great presentation is a conversation between you and your audience. We must consider building synergy with the audience. It’s about working together to produce meaningful results rather than just talking at people. Develop the habit of approaching every presentation as an opportunity to work closely with our audience to create time and make an effort to interact with and involve them in our message. Put yourself in their shoes.

Habit #7 – Self-Renewal – Taking care of you is critical to your effectiveness and your ability to change people’s lives. Make a habit of self-renewal is indispensable. We have to keep fresh and stay ahead of the game physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. How can we expect to inspire and influence our audience and lead them to action, if we are not in peak condition? This is the most challenging habit of all, because it involves most of the things we know we should be doing, but still don’t always do.
* Exercise regularly
* Staying properly hydrated
* Eating healthy
* Cutting out the toxins
* Finding time & space to sit quietly, think & breathe
* Meditating, journaling and praying
* Visualizing
* Challenging ourselves personally & professionally
* Learning new things
* Having more fun
When our body, mind and emotions are not in good shape, we lose energy, creativity and the confidence to speak with impact.
My hope is that you will join me in committing these habits to our lives, so we can make the impact that we were put on this planet to make. Someone is praying right now for your message…be the answer to their prayer.

If building a successful business is a lonely place for you, join the Engaging Speakers community and travel this journey together. Learn more at https://engagingspeakers.com/

Gail Brown, Founder of Engaging Speakers, gail@engagingspeakers.com