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Perfecting Your Public Speaking: How To Create Your New Year’s Action Plan

January 20, 2010

planAt this time of year, in a fresh decade, people are setting resolutions and crafting long lists of goals to only give up on them the following day. Practicing and perfecting your public speaking and communication skills is a long-term commitment, one with excellent pay-offs. Setting and achieving your goals short and long-term will aid in implementing the positive tips and practices you learn. Each small success will immediately impact your speaking performance and confidence. Take a quiet moment to follow these steps to create relevant, measurable, achievable goals.

  1. Evaluate Your Situation: How do you feel when you speak publically? What are your fears or reservations about public speaking? When you see a great speaker what do you admire about them?
  2. Decide What Areas to Focus On: What would help you feel more comfortable speaking? When you receive feedback from colleagues or mentors what do they say? What areas of making presentations or speaking publically do you have the most challenge with?
  3. List All Factors and People Involved: What are the factors involved in making a great presentation ( ex: time, relationship with audience, introduction )? What are the components you need to have a great presentation or feel comfortable speaking? What individuals are involved when you speak publically (ex: the audience, clients, other presenters)?

Now reviewing your answers you should have a better grasp on what you’d like your outcome. When you begin to list goals to get you there remember to have a measurable component and a plan of action. This could include getting help from mentors, feedback from colleagues or family members or setting a strict schedule. Creating a detailed plan of action and enlisting others to help will keep you accountable and on track.

For a little inspiration to get you kick-started here is a great quote from novelist Haruki Murakami’s inspiring memoir What I Talk About When I Talk About Running.

“My time, the rank I attain, my outward appearance — all of these are secondary. For a runner like me, what’s really important is reaching the goal I set myself, under my own power. I give it everything I have, endure what needs enduring, and am able, in my own way, to be satisfied.”

If you are looking for support in setting or reaching your public speaking goals for 2010 contact me at info@releaseyourvoice.com or call 604-240-4555.

TESTIMONIALS

  • “I found the “Release Your Voice” Bootcamp extremely helpful. Starting my new business as a personal trainer will require my talking to a wide variety of people and I feel that your course has given me a huge boost in ability and confidence. I have already recommended your course to a friend of mine”

    - Stan Fiddis, Personal Trainer -
  • “I didn’t know how much I was stressed until I attended Pamela’s session.  Not only is her one on one coaching effective, but she is provided me with the tools, allowing me to execute her program on my own.”

    - Dale Kobewka, CIO SeaSpan -
  • “Pamela’s approach is highly professional, with a depth and diversity of skills that draws out the very best of an individual in working towards a powerful and confident voice. She builds on your personal strengths in a fun and compassionate environment to overcome the fear of public speaking.

    My goals both personal and professional could not have been achieved without the knowledge, support and creatively that ‘Release Your Voice’ so brilliantly provided.”

    - Trish Panz, West Vancouver Politician -
  • “I wanted to thank you for an incredible two days! I gained so much from your teaching, your presenting and your exercises. I feel like I now have a solid foundation to begin my journey toward becoming a great presenter. I am absolutely honoured to have begun my journey with you.

    You definitely suit your name as you really teach from your heart! I was also very impressed at how you were able to read the participants so well and give them not only exactly what they needed, but precisely how much they could handle. I have as much admiration for your skill as a teacher as I do your skill as a presenter (and that’s a heck of a lot!). I paid for this course out of my own pocket and while it was very difficult to part with that money not knowing what I was going to receive in return, I can now say it was worth every penny.”

    - Angelina Robinson -
  • “Thanks so much for your stimulating presentation, “Release Your Voice.” You managed to entertain us (and we’re a tough crowd) while you taught us about things we want and need to know; how to engage and persuade any audience. It was a multi-level audience too, and various types of presenters were present in our audience; you managed to touch on things of value to each and everyone of us.”

    - Kerry Richardson, B.C. Teachers Federation -
  • “Thank you so much for the experience, it was a pleasure meeting and working with you, you are awesome!”

    - Fatima Faria, Executive Director, Sunshine Valley Child Care Society -
  • “It was lovely attending your session. I really appreciated how much of it was hands on. It was extraordinary helpful! It is amazing how much I learning in a couple of days and how much I absorbed”

    - Catherine (Wilkinson) Warren -
  • “I enjoyed people paying attention to me and thanking me for my “great” presentation.”

    - Kyoko Manabe, Social Media Officer, Canadian Tourism Commission -
  • “Pamela’s breadth of experience was beneficial in helping me step into impromptu situations more easily and enjoyably.”

    - Jak Redenbach -
  • “Pam is a high energy keynote speaker who attended our lawyer retreat and addressed the subject of communication. She engaged the audience and there was a great deal of interaction with the lawyers. Pam understood our briefing about the issues lawyers have with communication. She delivered a thought provoking and inspiring workshop on how to improve our skills and become effective communicators. Pam has since developed a strong relationship with the firm and our lawyers continually use her services.

    - Jim Baird, Director, Boughton Law Corporation -
  • “Thanks so much for the feedback Pamela. I have been practicing the tongue twisters and the impromptus daily. I just presented to a group of 100 in Toronto and it went really well. I used the breathing techniques and I did not feel anxious or nervous. I spoke clearly and slowly. The course really helped me get through this presentation. Thank you so much!”

    - Jodi Bains – Human Resources Manager PetSmart Canada -
  • “Not only did the Release Your Voice seminar improve my speaking skills, Pamela helped me work on my presentation after the seminar, so I was totally comfortable with it. Her program is excellent.”

    - Gail Trainer, Investors Group Financial Services Inc. I.G. Insurance Services Inc., Vancouver -
  • “I have witnessed the Release Your Voice Program in action and it is phenomenal. People who were terrified to give their presentations were calm and collected after working with Pamela and her program. As a fellow facilitator I can attest to her skill and talent.”

    - Maryse Cardin, Turtle and Hare Public Relations Vancouver -
  • “I cannot express how much Pamela has helped me in my personal and professional life. I have greater confidence in the boardroom, and in my public speaking skills. I am able to better relate to my clients by utilizing Pamela’s communication techniques. Most importantly, Pamela helped recognize qualities that I had written off as weaknesses. She is a brilliant powerhouse that 100% is worth investing in yourself for!”

    - Natalie Genest, Rennie & Associates Realty -
  • “We have had Pamela Hart come in to do her training on public speaking and she is always one of our top rated speakers. Her training, experience and presence reflect true professionalism and gives tremendous value to our entrepreneurs. All of us at the YMCA New Ventures Network highly value her contribution to our program.”

    - Debbie Catherwood, YMCA New Ventures Network -