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BELOW YOU WILL DISCOVER CONTENT TAKEN FROM DAY TWELVE OF THE TWENTY-ONE DAY ONLINE COURSE.
TRY TO FOLLOW THE LESSONS IN ORDER AND LOOK OUT FOR THE PROMO OFFERS AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE.
Day 12# False. Expectations. Appearing. Real
Today's explainer on fear (audio + text)
Fear is only one perception which you chose to agree with or not.
That's not to say that there aren't things we must be fearful of.
Of course, fear is a necessary skill for our survival which humans have developed to maintain our lives in times of danger.
Without fear, we would never have learned to respect dangers and therefore be extinct already.
Fear is not our enemy.
That said, it is often misplaced and can arise in the most unusual situations, just like in public speaking.
In today's study sheet, we will discuss this idea further.
Today’s video discusses some of what you can do to combat initial fears before giving a speech.
Finally, in the assignment, we will evaluate fear and break down rational and irrational ones as well as looking at its meaning from a different perspective.
That's not to say that there aren't things we must be fearful of.
Of course, fear is a necessary skill for our survival which humans have developed to maintain our lives in times of danger.
Without fear, we would never have learned to respect dangers and therefore be extinct already.
Fear is not our enemy.
That said, it is often misplaced and can arise in the most unusual situations, just like in public speaking.
In today's study sheet, we will discuss this idea further.
Today’s video discusses some of what you can do to combat initial fears before giving a speech.
Finally, in the assignment, we will evaluate fear and break down rational and irrational ones as well as looking at its meaning from a different perspective.
Practical advice for the moments leading up to your speech (video)
Todays Exercise - Introducing 'Gyrotonic'
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Today's exercise is a fantastic opportunity to learn a simple practice from an incredibly beneficial system known as Gyrotonic.
I learned this particular exercises from an official Gyrotonic instructor who had previously been a dancer and who realised its benefits after suffering from serious injury brought on during years of professional dance practice. Gyrotonic is a training method based in principles of yoga, dance, tai chi, and swimming. Unlike yoga (and most workouts), there's an emphasis on rotation and spiraling movement that doesn't have an end point. Regular Gyrotonic practice also builds core strength, balance, coordination, and agility. |
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Today's Study - Taking the fear out of public speaking
It seems like the most fearful part of public speaking is, in fact, the public. We don't fear our performance as much if we have no audience in which to impress or communicate with.
Let's reduce some stress around public speaking, by taking the public out of it, at least for now. Before we do, let's look at the reasons why the 'public' can have such an impact on our self-perception and hinder our performance in the first place.
We, humans, are tribal creatures and have always thrived in and around the community. It's easy to disagree with this in the modern world as we have so much interaction (too much in fact) that we often pull ourselves away from social circumstances because it can be draining and overwhelming. We interact with hundreds if not thousands of people directly or indirectly each day. Especially if we live in large, built-up areas. Many of us also spend an enormous amount of time on our computers, enabling further interaction with the world.
We shouldn't forget, however, that the natural need for connection is vital. And this need has developed over thousands of years. Without it, we humans may never have reached the top of the food chain. See humans aren't the best fighters or most well-designed hunters on the planet. We're not the strongest or even the fastest. It's because of this that we developed bonds and relationships with others as our strength grew out of collaboration.
One human alone would be unable to fend off a hungry lion, but ten or even twenty, with the right plan and equipment certainly could.
Our ability to group, unite, plan and share knowledge is what differentiates us from other animals and has made us the most dangerous species on the planet.
It is instilled well within our DNA that to survive; we must be able to communicate and get along with others in our community. Why? Simple, because when we humans did live in tribes, it was paramount everyone got along, pulled their weight and obeyed the community rules. Failure to do so could lead to ostracising and worst-case banishment.
Banishment equalled no more friends which lead to the individual or family having to leave the tribe to fend for themselves. This situation meant certain danger from other tribes, larger predatory animals and the elements. Without community support, humans perished.
We have come a long way since we lived in such environments and needed the community for survival. But not far enough so that our mind and body have evolved to accept them.
It's this precise reason that we humans feel fear toward others perception of ourselves. Why we unknowingly seem to deteriorate when feeling judged or mocked. These feelings are hardwired into our DNA because they once served a legitimate purpose for our survival.
Fear meant we would respect the community, and strive to cooperate, which meant we would flourish and live a longer life.
And it's this exact same fear we feel when faced with public speaking. Fear of being laughed at, of getting it wrong, not being heard, and unable to perform. It' merely the fear of rejection!
This fear has no place in the modern world, let alone on a stage, a presentation, pitch, classroom or even in a nightclub. Yet it continues to influence the perception we hold of ourselves. It persists in ruining opportunities and knocking our confidence. Knowing this is the first step to overcoming it.
Remember, this fear is genuine, and it serves a very unique and essential purpose. We need to remind ourselves that its function has become mixed up. It's in the wrong place is all.
Now it’s clear as to where our fear of the public stems.
Our aim is then to focus on the act of speaking and getting that right first. Because once we are physically able to provide, clear resonant and articulate speech and our body, (our instrument) is capable and ready to perform at its optimum. We only need then to switch our mindset and re-arrange our perception of the public for us to have unlocked the key to public speaking mastery.
And that's what we are going to do!
Let's reduce some stress around public speaking, by taking the public out of it, at least for now. Before we do, let's look at the reasons why the 'public' can have such an impact on our self-perception and hinder our performance in the first place.
We, humans, are tribal creatures and have always thrived in and around the community. It's easy to disagree with this in the modern world as we have so much interaction (too much in fact) that we often pull ourselves away from social circumstances because it can be draining and overwhelming. We interact with hundreds if not thousands of people directly or indirectly each day. Especially if we live in large, built-up areas. Many of us also spend an enormous amount of time on our computers, enabling further interaction with the world.
We shouldn't forget, however, that the natural need for connection is vital. And this need has developed over thousands of years. Without it, we humans may never have reached the top of the food chain. See humans aren't the best fighters or most well-designed hunters on the planet. We're not the strongest or even the fastest. It's because of this that we developed bonds and relationships with others as our strength grew out of collaboration.
One human alone would be unable to fend off a hungry lion, but ten or even twenty, with the right plan and equipment certainly could.
Our ability to group, unite, plan and share knowledge is what differentiates us from other animals and has made us the most dangerous species on the planet.
It is instilled well within our DNA that to survive; we must be able to communicate and get along with others in our community. Why? Simple, because when we humans did live in tribes, it was paramount everyone got along, pulled their weight and obeyed the community rules. Failure to do so could lead to ostracising and worst-case banishment.
Banishment equalled no more friends which lead to the individual or family having to leave the tribe to fend for themselves. This situation meant certain danger from other tribes, larger predatory animals and the elements. Without community support, humans perished.
We have come a long way since we lived in such environments and needed the community for survival. But not far enough so that our mind and body have evolved to accept them.
It's this precise reason that we humans feel fear toward others perception of ourselves. Why we unknowingly seem to deteriorate when feeling judged or mocked. These feelings are hardwired into our DNA because they once served a legitimate purpose for our survival.
Fear meant we would respect the community, and strive to cooperate, which meant we would flourish and live a longer life.
And it's this exact same fear we feel when faced with public speaking. Fear of being laughed at, of getting it wrong, not being heard, and unable to perform. It' merely the fear of rejection!
This fear has no place in the modern world, let alone on a stage, a presentation, pitch, classroom or even in a nightclub. Yet it continues to influence the perception we hold of ourselves. It persists in ruining opportunities and knocking our confidence. Knowing this is the first step to overcoming it.
Remember, this fear is genuine, and it serves a very unique and essential purpose. We need to remind ourselves that its function has become mixed up. It's in the wrong place is all.
Now it’s clear as to where our fear of the public stems.
Our aim is then to focus on the act of speaking and getting that right first. Because once we are physically able to provide, clear resonant and articulate speech and our body, (our instrument) is capable and ready to perform at its optimum. We only need then to switch our mindset and re-arrange our perception of the public for us to have unlocked the key to public speaking mastery.
And that's what we are going to do!
Today's Assignment - Prioritising fear
Today you will need to put pen to paper once again. This time the task is to write down all the things that trigger fear in you.
------- PART ONE -------
It can be anything large or small but take a few minutes to write down any and every situation that comes to mind where you are apprehensive, anxious or outright terrified about a specific situation, thing or idea. For example, heavy traffic, walking down a dark alley late at night or even speaking in public.
Take as long as you need; you can always come back to it again later if necessary.
Do this first part of the exercise before you read on and continue onward.
------- PART TWO -------
Once you have completed the first task, the next step is to write down a second list. It should include dangers that you KNOW to be real and which should be avoided at all cost: Wild Lions, Tsunamis, Atomic fallout etc.
------- PART THREE -------
Once you have this second list, compare the two and create a third one.
Next, highlight items from your first list that have no reason to exist, except in your head.
An example of this might be house spiders. The likelihood of an ordinary everyday house spider being of any real danger to you is ridiculously small to zero. However, that said many people feel faint and nauseous at the mere mention of one being close by. So think realistically and not from bias (if possible).
Now, take your list of unnecessary fears and for each one, think of how detrimental to your life they are.
Consider how many fear-based decisions have you made on the presupposition that this thing (this fear) is valid and worthy of your energy?
As you do this, write one final list and number it from 1 to however many items you have in total.
Number 1 must be the most real and relevant ACTUAL danger you have from all lists combined.
The last thing on the list is to represent the item of least significance or threat.
Don't base your decisions on how you feel; this is an entirely analytical exercise and should be based on facts.
Now it's time to look at the list one more time.
Recognise where you allow your imagination to control you.
Are the fears at the bottom of the list really worth worrying about?
I'll leave that thought with you!
FINAL WORDS
This webpage is an example of how each day is laid out for the entirety of the 'Public Speaking Mastery' course.
The only difference is that the actual course is hosted on the Teachable platform, and so the visual ascetic and layout is slightly different.
I hope you've found today's lessons to be of use and have learned some advice to implement into your own public speaking tool kit.
Of course the full course is set up as a progressive system where each day adds to and builds upon the last.
This day on fear being day 12, means there are many lessons which come before and that make the information held within, even more powerful.
The only difference is that the actual course is hosted on the Teachable platform, and so the visual ascetic and layout is slightly different.
I hope you've found today's lessons to be of use and have learned some advice to implement into your own public speaking tool kit.
Of course the full course is set up as a progressive system where each day adds to and builds upon the last.
This day on fear being day 12, means there are many lessons which come before and that make the information held within, even more powerful.
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