Public Speaking Fears transformed into Energy, Passion and Authority in Only Five Minutes

By Jesai Jayhmes

Coming up to a big media event where you have to look and sound like you know what you are talking about? Are you feeling anxiety, terror, dread? Worried that you will black out? Go blank? Stutter? Say something stupid? all on national TV? Do you fear that your 15 Minutes of Fame might be the last breath you ever breathe?

You are not alone. Many, many people have huge fears around public speaking... and those fears are justified! History is strewn with the corpses of former "experts" who met an untimely demise at the hands of the masses.

What do you do to calm your nerves? Take a Valium? Don't think so. You might just fall off the chair and disappear under the podium. Imagine everyone naked? Doesn't work for me. I can't keep a straight face.

How do you rise above the jitters, and profoundly affect your listeners?

I am going to tell you the best secret I know. It has worked for me countless times, on screen and live. It is something that you practice in your sleep, something that you can not live without, and best of all it is absolutely *Free*. Are you taking this in? Can you guess? Are you still breathing?

YES, that's it! It's as simple as that! BREATHING! Every unconscious breath you take (about 26,000 times a day) either winds you up or calms you down. "Conscious" breathing, however, restores clarity, making challenging interviews seem like a breeze.

Take just 5 minutes prior to the event to sit quietly upright and breathe, whether in your parked car, a bathroom stall, or the green room in the studio. This will make a huge positive impact on your "star" power. You will inform, inspire and transform others when you are out there under the lights.

Turn your attention to your breath (this is what makes it conscious) and allow your inhale and exhale to become slow, deep and effortless without pushing or forcing. Allow each breath to be a little deeper. You are bringing more oxygen into your brain, which enables you to think clearly. Your lungs massage your heart allowing you to be open and genuine. Even your churning stomach is calmed by the slow movement of your breathing. You are able to respond to questions with passion, sincerity and authority, which create a captivating experience for your host, your audience and you. Five minutes may feel like a long time to do "nothing"... but it is the best five minutes you can invest.

Don't let your fears paralyze you. Pay attention to the very activity that gives you life...and remember the words of the philosopher, "I Breathe Therefore I Am."

Jesai Jayhmes
Author

Copyright © 2008 Jesai Jayhmes all rights reserved.

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Jesai Jayhmes is a voice coach, public speaker, actor and director with 30 years international experience training top seminar presenters, actors, teachers, sales people and CEO's. His unique voice fitness program can be found at http://www.yourvoiceworkout.com/ and you can contact him at info@jesaijayhmes.com. You can find voice and public speaking podcast tips by Jesai by searching Jesai Jayhmes podcast.

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