I doubt if you’ll read all of these doubts –
especially the last one!
I doubt if I’ll ever get any better at presenting.
I doubt if they’ll be interested in anything I have to say.
I doubt if practicing would make a difference.
I doubt if reading books and blogs on public speaking
would help me improve my presentations.
I doubt if video taping my presentation would help me improve my delivery.
I doubt if having a digital recorder to capture ideas is worth the investment.
I doubt if joining Toastmasters is a good idea.
I doubt if asking people for feedback would help me.
I doubt if delivery really trumps content.
I doubt if non-verbal communication trumps verbal communication.
I doubt if using pauses in a presentation can have an effect.
I doubt if a smile really is universal.
I doubt if a strong opening and strong closing are really necessary.
I doubt if repetition really reinforces a message.
I doubt if using props would help the audience GET IT.
I doubt if the body language and facial expressions of the audience really give me feedback.
I doubt if my body language matters in my presentation.
I doubt if Q&A should be before the conclusion of my talk.
I doubt if I should redo those slides.
I doubt if using industry buzz words and acronyms really hurts my presentation.
I doubt if I should be supplying the text and use images rather than bullet points in my slides.
I doubt if high quality images are better than cheap clip art.
I doubt if ‘blanking’ the screen really takes the focus off the screen and onto me.
I doubt if refreshing my speech would make it better.
I doubt if writing my own introduction is better than just handing my bio to the emcee.
I doubt if arriving early to met and greet people as they arrive would ease my fear of public speaking.
I doubt if mind mapping is a tool I could use to develop, practice and deliver a speech.
I doubt if speaking really gives me credibility and would help my career.
I doubt if I really need to study all the elements of verbal and non-verbal communication.
I doubt if blogging regularly would help my speaking.
Finally, I doubt if you have any doubts. Do you?
If so, please comment.
About the Author:
Fred E. Miller coaches, speaks and writes about Public Speaking and Presentation Skills.
314-517-8772
Fred@NoSweatPublicSpeaking.com
https://nosweatpublicspeaking.com
18 Comments
Fred, I doubt I can add to this list! They have entered my head at one time or another. It is so natural to doubt our ablity when something does not come natural to us. Even the toastmaster doubt. I have thought about joining for years and at one time I even sought out and talk to a group but never attended until a few months back. I attended one meeting and the next meeting I joined I do my first speech in a couple weeks. Yikes! I have a saying taped to my computer monitor it says “It’s NOT true I just made it up!” To remind my self that most of those voices in my head are liars….
Fred,
Thanks for the thoughts.
Your chosen phrase, “I doubt” is something I rarely hear anyone use. People don’t utter that phrase or at least rarely do in the presence of others.
No, the utterance of “I doubt” is usually an inernal and silent “killer”, just like, heart disease, high B/P, and other diseases of the body. “I doubt” is just that, a disease of the belief system. When our heart has disease, it quits functioning with strength, power, and life essential performance.
The utterance, whether internal or outwardly spoken, of the phrase “I doubt”, weakens and destroys personal best, business best, and life best. It is a phrase that needs a “cure”.
The cure is “I can” and “I will” and “I am”. The cure is doing, being, moving. The cure is far from a “masking of the synptoms” , it is a complete …turning toward another direction…and in this case it is not a phrase, but a belief system. It is faith. It is confidence. It is clear knowing of where you will go even when no one else believes that is the right way to go.
Standing strong in a chosen way, mindest or action is the only way…and that is “Without a doubt” 🙂
Jennifer Tobias
Hi Fred,
If a reader chooses to ignore these hidden gems of advice towards better speaking, I doubt – no, in fact I know, improvement is, well…doubtful. All the above doubts are obvious tips that tend to get overlooked when preparing and presenting. I’ve found several to be awesome reminders and few new ones too for my next presentation. Thanks for debunking my doubts and bringing to the forefront, success patterns to better speaking.
Rick
Absolutely love the provocative statement that delivery trumps content. I immediately jumped to the defense of the content but upon further reflection you are absolutely right — if you can’t deliver, the content is moot.
I doubt I have ever read a more authoritative post about public speaking.
Cathy:
Thanks for visiting and your comment.
I’ve heard you speak, and ‘I have not doubt’ your Toastmaster speeches will go well!
Jennifer, I like that ‘I can’ attitude.
It’s one of the central qualities you have and serves you exceptionally well.
Unfortunately, others don’t have it.
Rick:
Thanks for visiting and your relevant comments!
Russ:
You defend Content? I’m shocked!
No doubt, you fortunately possess the the Total Package, my friend. You expertly Deliver great Content!
I hold you up to others as a great example of ‘How it’s done!’
Thanks for visiting!
You could have titled this The 30 Dirty Doubts People Have About Public Presentations and then done a second piece on The 30 Surefire Stimulators to Deliver High Quality Presentations Confidently! Fred Miller is THE coach when it comes to gaining skill to present that will WOW your audience. Don’t doubt it – you WILL become an amazing presenter!
No doubt, your comment is appreciated, Joe.
You’re the consumate speaker, and I appreciate you visiting and taking time to comment!
Thanks!
Doubts can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. But so can self-confidence and optimism.
TJ:
You are so correct!
Thanks for visiting and the comment!
Fred,
Right on my friend! Mostly it is doubt or denial that keeps me and probably many others from sharing in public our beliefs, dreams and truths! An organized, practiced well planned speech would be an awesome tool in our lives regardless our calling.
I hope to enlist your help soon.
Thanks again!
Fred: I think you’ve been rummaging around in my head lately!
Tom: Speaking is one of the ways you gain credibility and people perceive you as an expert. You have an excellent presence, and I know you’re passionate about your business.
I hope all is well and am ready to help when you’re ready.
Thanks for visiting and the comment.
We all have those doubts, Gretchen. One of the keys is to recognize them, do what you can to lessen them, and go forward.
Success builds success.
Thanks for commenting!
My advice to anyone wanting to improve their speaking skills – listen to Fred Miller! He is simply the best at helping people get over any fear they have of speaking whether it’s to small groups or audiences of thousands. I’ve known Fred for years and if not for his example I wouldn’t be able to speak in front of 1 person let alone hundreds. Plus he’s just a great, fun person to learn from so what are you waiting for? Fill out that form!
Sabine:
Thanks for visiting and your very kind comment.
You are one of my role models!