How can you use positive self-talk to confidently present yourself?

For example - eliminate “I think” and replace with “I know”. You don’t think this is a good idea, you know - given the circumstances - that (insert action) is not a good idea.

It's important to practice positive self talk . No one is going to give you confidence except your own positive self talk . its about giving you assurance that you got this - you can waver through this challenge positively without fear. Giving you confidence you can answer all the questions people are going to ask you giving you confidence you are enough and you do not need to be someone else continue to persevere and keep being positive - no one is going to do it for you better than you.

As an expert in communication, I can affirm that positive self-talk is a transformative practice. It involves replacing negative, self-critical thoughts with affirming, encouraging, and realistic self-dialogue. This practice can significantly influence one's emotional and mental well-being. Engaging in positive self-talk helps in coping with stress, boosting self-esteem, and fostering motivation towards achieving personal goals. Importantly, it's not about deluding oneself with false optimism. Instead, it's a balanced approach that acknowledges personal strengths and abilities while challenging and reframing limiting beliefs. This form of self-communication fosters a healthier, more empowered mindset, crucial for personal growth..

Positive self-talk is about showcasing your values and how these motivate you decision making processes. This creative authentic planning and design so that your character shines through in changes adopted. It also helps to show others how and why you are acting in the ways you are, so they can see authentic decision making informed by a clear set of strategic values.

Use a mirror, and dress as it makes you feel good. Don't make fake smiles just so you look good, instead, think in a positive way or think about a happy memory that will bring a smile to your face. Now, look again in the mirror, see a beautiful and positive person looking back at you, and start your day.

Regardless of the audience type—enthusiastic, quiet, or distracted—effective speaking involves three key steps: thoroughly practice your talk, tailor your content to the audience, and invest ample time and effort. Confidence comes from preparation. Before speaking, remind yourself that your goal isn't to impress, but to help. Take a deep breath and embrace this mindset.

Our posture, facial expressions, and overall demeanor are often the first things that others notice about us. When we engage in positive self-talk, we tend to project and actually feel more confident.

Positive self-talk is essential for effective public speaking because it boosts confidence, reduces anxiety, and enhances focus. It helps you maintain resilience, fosters a positive mindset, and encourages authenticity, contributing to a more successful and impactful presentation. positive self-talk is a powerful tool that can shape your mindset, boost your confidence, and contribute to a more successful and impactful public speaking experience.

In public speaking, positive self-talk is vital for combating common fears like forgetting lines or failing to engage the audience. Negative thoughts can undermine confidence and affect performance. By replacing these with affirming and realistic self-dialogue, speakers can significantly reduce anxiety and improve enthusiasm. This shift enhances focus and clarity, aiding in effective communication. Positive self-talk also encourages better preparation and practice, fostering a more confident and competent presentation. Afterward, it promotes constructive self-evaluation, focusing on growth over harsh criticism. Thus, positive self-talk is essential for transforming public speaking challenges into opportunities.

What helps me more then positive selftalk is connecting with the audience by putting my attention outside of myself. Just take in your surroundings, really look at the audience, notice details. Positive self-talk still keeps you inside of your head (where those negatives thoughts are too and easily bumped into) but putting your focus outside of yourself, helps to avoid overthinking.

Positive self-talk can help us cope in times of stress, by reminding ourselves of our strengths and abilities. For me positive and creative visualisation is a great way to prepare for a talk or presentation, visualising previous successes can empower you and help you deliver ANOTHER amazing presentation.

One of the practices I recommend to clients is to choose a confidence "word" that you can summon when you need to prepare yourself to speak or present. Here's how: 1. Think of a time you achieved something that felt great. Perhaps it was the scoring goal at a game. Maybe it's a personal milestone you hit that made you feel proud. Mine is when a room of 160 people stood and applauded at the end of a talk. 2. Visualize that moment. Feel it. See it. How did you feel? Name it and assign a word to it. My word is two words, "Nailed it!" 3. When you need to present and want to feel confident that you'll "nail it" (in my case), summon your word. See that past moment. Feel it. Then use that energy to begin your new presentation confidently.

Develop a short mantra for yourself with the positive words that describe how you want to come across to the audience eg confident, professional, open, generous, genuine. And repeat these to yourself a few times as you warm up before going on stage/camera.

Positive self talk is your super power. It creates intent and vision. Through positive intent to achieve we form abstract solutions which lead to clear vision of the goal. What’s your end result and how do you get there? Think through how the situation would end with in desired result. Use empathy…what are the intents/needs of the other relevant parties, how would it flow, what’s your conscious approach, see the details as you want it to play out. As far as public speaking, they are there to hear you. Because you rock. Talk big, use inflections, be who you want, be yourself, read and interact with the crowd, and have fun. Nothing better than a group of people focusing on the same goal in harmony. Create it with positive thought.

I learned that by making 'me' the only topic of self-talk, I was missing out on a wonderful opportunity. The one thing that got me past my (crippling) fear of public speaking was to ask myself one fundamental question before accepting the job: Do I believe in this audience? Else said, do I think this audience has the ability and willingness, at least in principle, to take my message on board and do something constructive with it? Because if the answer is 'no'. Why get on that stage? It would be a waste of everyone's time. But if the answer is 'yes', I show that vote of confidence in every word, every gesture and every second. It is amazing when an audience picks up on that energy and what it does to mine. Call it positive them-talk. :-)

Depending on the context, these simple "mishaps" might help break the tension between you and the audience if you can use it to humour yourself. In fact, studies show that people who make minor mistakes while preparing for a presentation may be seen as more likeable by an audience as they become more relatable due to imperfections. Also, try to find some friendly faces in the crowd who you know support you to feel more confident when you need the boost.

During your presentation, use positive self-talk to navigate challenges. Stay present and focus on your strengths. If you stumble, think "I can recover," and for technical issues, "I can adapt." Replace nerves with excitement, thinking "I'm excited" instead of "I'm scared." This mindset helps maintain composure, adaptability, and enthusiasm. It shifts perspective, allowing you to view setbacks as manageable, and keeps your delivery energetic and convincing, enhancing audience engagement.

In moments of challenge or unexpected turns, recognize that this presentation is part of an ongoing journey of growth and improvement. Embrace imperfections, understanding that they contribute to the evolution of your message and impact. Maintain a genuine smile and sustained eye contact, not as mere gestures but as expressions of authentic connection. By staying present and adapting positively to the dynamic nature of public speaking, you embody principles of effective leadership—leading with empathy, inspiring others, and cultivating a shared sense of purpose.

After your presentation, use positive self-talk by celebrating achievements, learning from challenges, and focusing on continuous improvement. Appreciate your effort, value feedback, and maintain a perspective that each presentation is part of a larger journey. Avoid negative self-talk, encourage ongoing effort, and set realistic expectations. Reflect on growth and recognize progress in your evolving capabilities as a speaker.

While positive self talk is essential as mindset impacts what we do and how we do it, I also like ”physical” reminders to stay confident and calm. For example, while I’m speaking on stages, I have a small stone/rock in my pocket that has inspirational words on it. I.e. You got this. I.e. Focus i.e. Trust. I can feel the positive energy, without even looking at the words. Try it and let me know what you think.

The first time I spoke at 24, I was unprepared to discuss a five minute book review in front of my colleagues and leaders. Overwhelmed with nerves, my impromptu speech failed, leaving me humiliated. Days later, another partnered book review assignment offered redemption. We practiced intensely, refining our speech and timing. The hard work paid off. It was a stark contrast to my first attempt. This experience taught me valuable lessons: 'faking it' is ineffective; effort and preparation are essential for success; respect your audience by being well-prepared; and failure can be a powerful motivator for growth. But don't let it remain there if you have failed at speaking, don't give up - believe that consistent practice and coaching you can.