I love that you are a public speaking teacher! My favourite class (my husband’s too) in university was public speaking. A critical, teachable life skill that is too often ignored. Happy p a u s i n g Mitch! 🎙 🍃
I have found that taking off my glasses – and turning the roomful of people into blurry images – can lessen public speaking anxiety. Which, in turn, makes it easier to avoid the “ums” as well as obvious physical reactions such as face flushing, etc. in speaking to a group. It has helped my freezing-up reaction quite a bit as well.
I will take this advice into my next speaking engagement. I don’t actually know if I say uhm or ah. But if i did, I will stop and see it as an opportunity to connect with the listeners by giving them time to digest and me time to download.
I am videotaped reasonably frequently. And I watch them. But I am not listening for the uhms and ahs.So I didn’t notice. I’ll find out soon enough. LOL.
Uhm ah. Maybe not. LOL. Interestingly, I heard a talk from a man yesterday and he did those pauses where an uhm or ah could have easily gone. I would not have realized what he was doing if you hadn’t shared your post. It is very effective. I will definitely employ it consciously now.
No, not really. I was a child actor. So I had to overcome this fear early in life. I love public speaking. Have an unfair advantage.
I always tried to ease my friends and co-workers fears.
Please, call me Drew. Always loved that name.
While I have your attention, my post yesterday was about Inspiring Women of WordPress.
I have a large female following and dozens of women who are to shy or fri g.j themed to comment on my blog.
Some of these women come from abusive relationship and worse. I was hoping to highlight strong women such as you to help the frightened find role models and make new positive thinking friends.
I was hoping you would give me permission to mention you and your blog on one of my posts.
Let me know if it is okay. Thanks.
Saying umm or ahhh I feel that is the worst thing to do when giving a speech 😑😑 In my opinion the best person to ever deliver speeches was Dr Martin Luther King Jr. I dont ever remember listening to one of his speeches and he uttered the words umm or ahhhhhh. He was always prepared.
Right on Dr. D. Something I struggle with but I am taking your sound advice especially in conversations with friends and family. Hopefully a family member
of yours and mine will watch this great video. ❤️Dr. Di (aka) mom.
How lucky am I that I have you, my Mom, as both as a mentor psychologist and a role model! And you are so right: Breathing space is essential in all areas of communication – especially conversation. And btw: you are one of my favourite students. (And you are one of my favourite teachers). When the teacher and students switch roles often like us, creative magic happens!
Insightful explanations, once again, into the mind and trauma relationship.
Being an expert in mindfulness definitely helps your ability to lead support groups so well!
As I share with my students, start where you are – and let everything flow from there.
Which is why their first speaking assignment is to share their #1 are of expertise – themselves!
Thriving Under Pressure 
Absolutely! I too practice this useful tip. Pause…focusing inward to retrieve that which is stored.👌🏽🕊
You’ll think you’ve hacked public speaking till it’s time to speak in public now your palms are sweaty and you’re “umming” and “ahhing”
Love this. I’m going to use the pause 🙂
Long time public speaking teacher here and all I can say is… (pause) … “Yes.”
I love that you are a public speaking teacher! My favourite class (my husband’s too) in university was public speaking. A critical, teachable life skill that is too often ignored. Happy p a u s i n g Mitch! 🎙 🍃
Thanks, Andrea!
Good advice! I used to do a fair bit of public speaking – now only do the odd poetry reading, but the advice still holds.
Thanks for the feedback VJ! It means a lot.
So welcome. Always nice to connect with your positive energy.
I have found that taking off my glasses – and turning the roomful of people into blurry images – can lessen public speaking anxiety. Which, in turn, makes it easier to avoid the “ums” as well as obvious physical reactions such as face flushing, etc. in speaking to a group. It has helped my freezing-up reaction quite a bit as well.
I absolutely looooove that tip!
So creative AND so you! 👓😎
Thank you! Glad you liked it 🙂
Thank you Andrea. This is a terrific tip. I am guilty of the “Um.”
My pleasure Brigid! May you breathe as much space into your speeches as your beautiful blog does for my heart & soul. ⛅️🌼
Bless you. xx
Great advice. Thank you. Have a great day! 🙂
You too Norah! ☀️
I will take this advice into my next speaking engagement. I don’t actually know if I say uhm or ah. But if i did, I will stop and see it as an opportunity to connect with the listeners by giving them time to digest and me time to download.
The best way to find out is to have someone videotape you. It’s hard to watch ourselves but the video feedback is priceless!
Good luck at your next speaking gig! 🎙🔥
I am videotaped reasonably frequently. And I watch them. But I am not listening for the uhms and ahs.So I didn’t notice. I’ll find out soon enough. LOL.
I have a feeling you don’t say either!
🎙💯🌟
Uhm ah. Maybe not. LOL. Interestingly, I heard a talk from a man yesterday and he did those pauses where an uhm or ah could have easily gone. I would not have realized what he was doing if you hadn’t shared your post. It is very effective. I will definitely employ it consciously now.
Great advice for any public speaker or person “forced” into the role.
I sense something underneath 💡
Do you have a story for me Andy?
No, not really. I was a child actor. So I had to overcome this fear early in life. I love public speaking. Have an unfair advantage.
I always tried to ease my friends and co-workers fears.
Please, call me Drew. Always loved that name.
While I have your attention, my post yesterday was about Inspiring Women of WordPress.
I have a large female following and dozens of women who are to shy or fri g.j themed to comment on my blog.
Some of these women come from abusive relationship and worse. I was hoping to highlight strong women such as you to help the frightened find role models and make new positive thinking friends.
I was hoping you would give me permission to mention you and your blog on one of my posts.
Let me know if it is okay. Thanks.
Have a great weekend.
I would be absolutely honoured to be included in your post Drew. Honoured 🙏🙏
And thank you for sharing some more of your early history. I find people so absolutely fascinating.
Have a wonderful weekend too!
Andrea 😊
Thank you from the botttom of my heart.
Forgot to say. I will let you know beforehand when I will mention you and your blog on my pager. Thanks, again.
Sounds wonderful Drew!
Saying umm or ahhh I feel that is the worst thing to do when giving a speech 😑😑 In my opinion the best person to ever deliver speeches was Dr Martin Luther King Jr. I dont ever remember listening to one of his speeches and he uttered the words umm or ahhhhhh. He was always prepared.
Agreed!
Preparation is EVERYTHING
MARIN LUTHER KING JR. CAPTIVATED HIS AUDIENCE.
Preparation and Reading the Audience = Connection + Engagement
SPEAKING OF PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE
I practiced my TEDx Talk 200 times (no exaggeration) before I gave my speech.
I gave it to grocery clerks, coffee baristas, the postman, the gym owner, everyone and everyone!
Have you seen my TEDx yet?
Great. I will try this because I always mess up when publicly speaking.
I bet you are doing better than you imagine! Practicing the pause will simply bring your message to a WHOLE NEW LEVEL. 😀
The pause…great tip. And nice to see you demonstrate it
Thank you! For watching my video & for your willingness to try it yourself. That means a lot. Let me know how it goes!
I will
Right on Dr. D. Something I struggle with but I am taking your sound advice especially in conversations with friends and family. Hopefully a family member
of yours and mine will watch this great video. ❤️Dr. Di (aka) mom.
Hello Dr. Di!
How lucky am I that I have you, my Mom, as both as a mentor psychologist and a role model! And you are so right: Breathing space is essential in all areas of communication – especially conversation. And btw: you are one of my favourite students. (And you are one of my favourite teachers). When the teacher and students switch roles often like us, creative magic happens!
Lots of Love
Dr. D xo
Public speaking fired my fight or flight mechanism, my voice would change, cortisol would freeze my thoughts.
My childhood abuse, constant criticism manifested in a fear of public speaking.
Having healed public speaking still poses a problem
Somehow I am fine running a mindfulness group open to the public
The mind and trauma are strange bedfellows
Thank you for sharing Marty.
Insightful explanations, once again, into the mind and trauma relationship.
Being an expert in mindfulness definitely helps your ability to lead support groups so well!
As I share with my students, start where you are – and let everything flow from there.
Which is why their first speaking assignment is to share their #1 are of expertise – themselves!
Have a Wonderful Wednesday!