To Be Your Best Public Speaking Self , Get an Avatar | by Jezra Kaye
Ready ? OK , write down three or four qualities that you would like people to see in you when you speak for business . These can be qualities you actually have ( one of mine is “ smart ”), or things you wish you had ( one of mine is “ calm ,” which is not who I am ). Remember , you ’ re choosing qualities that please you , so if you want to list “ glamorous ” or “ genius ” or “ all-powerful ,” go for it . You don ’ t have to explain or justify your choices ; just write them down .
There are many ways to prepare for a good patient conversation .
Once you ’ ve written down the three or four qualities that you ’ d like to be seen as having when you speak for business , give your Public Speaking Avatar a name . Like the qualities , this name exists to help you feel like the speaker you want to be , so pick something that works for you . My Avatar is Jezra Warrior Princess ; Beyoncé ’ s is Sasha Fierce . And if you can ’ t find a name that you love right away — it took me months to think of my Avatar ’ s name — just choose a placeholder name like *** SARAH *** or Super Sarah until something better occurs to you .
Now , in addition to describing your Avatar , you ’ ve just created what I call your Avatar speech . This is something you can say out loud ( once or twice a day is good ) to practice feeling like your Avatar . My Avatar speech ( which you have to imagine me delivering very theatrically !) is ,
“ I am Jezra Warrior Princess . I am smart , edgy , and calm . I am Jezra Warrior Princess !”
And here ’ s the second part of this exercise : After writing down your Avatar speech , stand in front of a mirror ( the mirror over your bathroom sink is fine ). Straighten your shoulders , lift your head proudly , and say your speech out loud ( you can read what you wrote ) while trying your best to believe that every word of it is true .
What did you see in the mirror ? Did you see someone who looks like what they were saying ? Did you see someone who embodies the qualities they described and isn ’ t bothered by all the other complicated , sometimes negative thoughts and feelings that most of us carry around ?
If you saw that person in the mirror , good ! That ’ s your Public Speaking Avatar .
And if you didn ’ t see them yet , don ’ t worry ; repeat your Avatar speech at least once a day while you pretend to be the person it describes , and pretty soon , you will see that person . You will feel that person inside of you . You ’ ll be able to become that person whenever you want .
When to Call on Your Avatar
Aside from the fun of having a secret identity , is there a practical use for your Public Speaking Avatar ?
Yes ! Calling on your Avatar can make all the difference when you need ...
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