Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Are you hoping to speak stress free?
Have you ever read that actors often throw up before each performance? And they are giving the same speech every night! It is tempting to compare yourself with experienced speakers and feel inadequate.
Stop those feelings by saying to yourself,
The most helpful way to notice and fight against stress and perfectionistic thinking is to write down your thoughts as if you are writing a letter to a friend. The unconscious frightening thoughts causing your stress will show themselves as you write. When you are aware of your fears, you can discriminate between healthy and helpful ones and refute any that are irrational and causing you unnecessary pain.
You will usually experience some stress when speaking but never too much to cope with and tolerate.
Have you ever read that actors often throw up before each performance? And they are giving the same speech every night! It is tempting to compare yourself with experienced speakers and feel inadequate.
Stop those feelings by saying to yourself,
- "That person is more experienced than I am. I'm improving each time I speak. Someday people will look at me the way I see these role models."
The most helpful way to notice and fight against stress and perfectionistic thinking is to write down your thoughts as if you are writing a letter to a friend. The unconscious frightening thoughts causing your stress will show themselves as you write. When you are aware of your fears, you can discriminate between healthy and helpful ones and refute any that are irrational and causing you unnecessary pain.
You will usually experience some stress when speaking but never too much to cope with and tolerate.
