Visualize Your Own Success as a Speaker

You have a speech or presentation coming up. Naturally, you’ve been thinking about it. The truth is you’ve been kind of obsessing about, haven’t you?

As the gears have been turning in your head, you’ve begun to imagine all kinds of things that might happen concerning your performance—some of them right out of a Stephen King novel.

But why do we beat up on ourselves like this? If we’re going to spend time imagining scenarios for our upcoming presentation, why not make them positive scenarios? Otherwise, we run the risk of creating a self-fulfilling prophecy, with some of those bad things occurring because we’ve put so much thought and energy into them that they virtually have to happen!

So here’s a tip for writing a blank check for success rather than failure: Use positive visualization to “foresee” things going well . . . even spectacularly! You’ve probably heard the term “positive visualization” before. I jazz that thought up a bit by calling the result a “Command Performance Movie.” Here’s what it’s all about:

The Command Performance Movie isn’t a real movie shot with a camcorder. Instead, it’s a scenario-in-your-own-mind about the success of your upcoming speech or presentation—and just as important, your positive feelings about the result. To keep it from occupying the “That’s Nice but I’ll Never Use It” drawer, you should write out the exercise rather than just thinking about it.

Include in your one or two pages your pleasure about speaking at the occasion; the way you accomplish all of your objectives as you go through the speech; the fact that the audience is nodding and paying attention, etc. Also include comments about how everyone seems to perceive you just the way you want them to, personally and professionally. And be sure to put in the specific ways in which you feelpositive about the experience.

How much detail you include is entirely up to you. The specific items you mention are only limited by your (optimistic) imagination!

Here is a sample Command Performance Movie I’ve come up with. Yours will be different, since it will be unique to your situation and goals. Whatever occasion you’ll be speaking at, try to make your imagined scenario as close as possible to the actual details of the upcoming talk.

One other way you can help yourself: Begin the “movie” by reminding yourself of the research, information gathering, and any other preparation you’ve done beforehand. I haven’t included such a section below, because that will be unique to your own advance work. But it’s another way to build confidence in your ability to speak expertly on your topic.

My Command Performance Movie

Today, I'm giving a 45-minute address at a breakout session at the Mega-Movers of the Universe Convention. I'm dressed professionally, in style with good quality clothes that aren't overly flashy. The audience senses that I'm relaxed, confident, and clearly looking forward to giving my talk and sharing ideas with them.

They can see I'm really enjoying being here with the opportunity to speak. After I'm introduced, I step to the lectern, smile, and nod at the audience. I take a slow relaxed breath, and begin my conversation with my listeners.

I speak clearly and knowledgeably, in an easy, confident tone. My voice is lively and engaging. As I make eye contact with audience members, I see that they're paying attention and look interested. I stay focused on my message, which I know is coming through loud and clear. I know this material and I'm really enjoying getting it across!

When I finish, everyone smiles and applauds warmly. They've clearly enjoyed my speech. As I return to my seat I overhear someone say, "Now that was an interesting presentation!" I know this has been a rewarding experience for them and me.

Thank you for visiting our FREE Articles archive. You may reprint or otherwise use this article ONLY if you include the following information at the end of the article:

GARY GENARD is an internationally known speech coach and corporate trainer. A former professional actor, he is the founder of Boston-based Public Speaking International, one of the world's premiere presentation skills and media training companies. PSI offers communication skills improvement including public speaking training, executive speech coaching, speech improvement, presentation skills and using PowerPoint, sales presentation training, and media appearance training. Public Speaking International can be found online at http://PublicSpeakingInternational.com.
Call (781) 643-2095 or email gary@pubspeak.com.