Mindfulness can really change how we think about our public speaking. I've found that taking a moment to pause and be present before and after I speak makes a big difference. Let me share my thoughts on this:
When you practice mindfulness, you start to notice what's happening right now. Before a speech, if you focus on your breathing and clear your mind, it can help reduce your nerves and anxiety. This calmness helps you connect more with your audience, instead of worrying about how well you’re doing. After the speech, being aware of the moment can help you look back more clearly on what just happened.
After speaking, I like to spend a few minutes checking in with myself. Mindfulness helps me with this. Instead of quickly saying, “I did great!” or “I messed up,” I focus on how I really felt during the speech. I ask myself questions like:
These questions help me learn more about how effective I was. Instead of just noting what went right or wrong, I can understand why I felt a certain way, which helps for next time.
Mindfulness also helps me separate my self-worth from how I speak in public. When I look back at my performance, I remind myself that nobody is perfect. Rather than thinking, “I really messed that up,” I prefer to say, “That part didn’t go as planned, but what can I learn from it?” This way of thinking makes it easier to review my performance and makes getting feedback less scary.
When I’m mindful, I’m better at taking in feedback from others. After my speech, I usually ask friends or mentors for their thoughts. When I’m calm and open, I can listen to them without feeling defensive. This feedback becomes a chance to learn instead of something to stress about. I write down what they say and think about how it matches my own feelings about my performance.
Lastly, mindfulness helps me set clear goals for my next speeches. Instead of worrying about things I did wrong in the past, I can picture myself in upcoming situations. I often set goals based on my reflections, like “I’ll try to make eye contact with the audience” or “I want to give myself a moment to think before I respond.” Focusing on these goals gives my practice a sense of purpose.
Using mindfulness in my public speaking has changed how I review my performance from being fearful to being about growth. By practicing awareness, reflection, positive feedback, and goal-setting, I feel more confident and capable of getting better at public speaking little by little. So, the next time you speak in front of a crowd, try to be mindful! You might find a helpful way to assess your performance.
Mindfulness can really change how we think about our public speaking. I've found that taking a moment to pause and be present before and after I speak makes a big difference. Let me share my thoughts on this:
When you practice mindfulness, you start to notice what's happening right now. Before a speech, if you focus on your breathing and clear your mind, it can help reduce your nerves and anxiety. This calmness helps you connect more with your audience, instead of worrying about how well you’re doing. After the speech, being aware of the moment can help you look back more clearly on what just happened.
After speaking, I like to spend a few minutes checking in with myself. Mindfulness helps me with this. Instead of quickly saying, “I did great!” or “I messed up,” I focus on how I really felt during the speech. I ask myself questions like:
These questions help me learn more about how effective I was. Instead of just noting what went right or wrong, I can understand why I felt a certain way, which helps for next time.
Mindfulness also helps me separate my self-worth from how I speak in public. When I look back at my performance, I remind myself that nobody is perfect. Rather than thinking, “I really messed that up,” I prefer to say, “That part didn’t go as planned, but what can I learn from it?” This way of thinking makes it easier to review my performance and makes getting feedback less scary.
When I’m mindful, I’m better at taking in feedback from others. After my speech, I usually ask friends or mentors for their thoughts. When I’m calm and open, I can listen to them without feeling defensive. This feedback becomes a chance to learn instead of something to stress about. I write down what they say and think about how it matches my own feelings about my performance.
Lastly, mindfulness helps me set clear goals for my next speeches. Instead of worrying about things I did wrong in the past, I can picture myself in upcoming situations. I often set goals based on my reflections, like “I’ll try to make eye contact with the audience” or “I want to give myself a moment to think before I respond.” Focusing on these goals gives my practice a sense of purpose.
Using mindfulness in my public speaking has changed how I review my performance from being fearful to being about growth. By practicing awareness, reflection, positive feedback, and goal-setting, I feel more confident and capable of getting better at public speaking little by little. So, the next time you speak in front of a crowd, try to be mindful! You might find a helpful way to assess your performance.