PUBLIC SPEAKING TIP!
Remembering the late Kate Smith on this July 4. Smith popularized Irving Berlin #GodBlessAmerica and is featured in the book I wrote with Dr Shirley Impellizzeri "Scared Speechless: 9 Ways to Overcome Your Fears and Captivate Your Audience" (Career Press). In Chapter 9, we talk about how "routines and rituals" can help us get in the right frame of mind for a nerve-inducing event - like public speaking.
What's so Great About Kate?
If you're from #Philly, you know what Miss Smith means to the Philadelphia Flyers. Or you should. Smith, a famous singer from the 30's and 40's became the Philadelphia Flyers on Fanatics good luck charm in the 1960s when management piped in Smith's rendition of "God Bless America," eventually inviting her in to sing live. Reason: When it was played, the Flyers won, including back-to-back Lord Stanley's Cup. When it wasn't, they tended to lose.
Miss Smith passed away in 1986, but remarkably, to this day the pattern continues. When a video of her is played - they win. The idea is that a good ritual gives us comfort and confidence. If we believe in it, it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Try and Apply: Develop a good ritual or habit around your presentation or speech - every time you practice, start with this ritual - and do it on the day of your presentation. It will calm you down because it's something that puts you in the moment - and feels familiar despite.
Suggestions for Rituals:
Listen to a song that makes you happy, energized confident. Have your fave cup of tea. Make it yourself - go through the motions. Meditate or pray. Connect with something bigger than yourself.
