What should you get yourself in order to speak with confidence?

We @ Speak For Yourself® have curated the best gifts, by category, to help you check this quest off your gift-buying list.

Inexpensive 

A smile, good posture, and effective eye contact cost nothing.

Have you heard the phrase, “Fake it till you make it?” You may feel uncomfortable but you can appear as if you own Manhattan by your facial expression, stance and eyeball connection.

Clothing & Accessories 

Buy clothes you love that fit the group and venue you’re speaking at.

Buy shoes that you can stand in, for hours, that look great. (Good luck.) For women – I’ve seen some fabulous post-pandemic glittery sneakers that have rocked the stage.

Self-care 

Buy yourself a Story Journal. Write down the funny stuff that happens. Keep a story log of events inside and outside your professional world. Then find ways to make these stories relevant when you run your company town halls / strategic retreats / quarterly zoom meetings. You will resonate more with your various audiences, which in turn will increase your confidence.

Tech

Besides the obvious – your computer, auxiliary cords, and remote wireless clicker if you use visuals, also purchase back up batteries, a decent pen, old fashioned note pad, and a thumb drive with your material (even if everything is in the cloud). Having your tech arsenal ready and available will add to your comfort level.

Food & Drink

Some of my clients beg me to agree that a shot of vodka will boost confident communication. No. That won’t work, and your holiday gift list to yourself does not include a trip to your wine store. Here are foods and a great drink that will boost your energy:

• Some type of protein or a protein shake.
• Easy food that will not drip onto your clothes like a piece of fruit or nuts.
•  (I always take a protein bar, a banana and some nuts to my speaking venues to snack on.)
• Your best drink: room temp water to hydrate your vocal cords.
• OK –  chocolates are always a good thing to have on hand.

Can you think of other items to add to our holiday Communicate With Confidence gift list?

#communication   #SpeakForYourself   #KarenCortellReisman   #ConfidentCommunicationHolidayGiftList

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