Page 99 - Between One and Many The Art and Science of Public Speaking

66 Part 1 Foundations

During the 2004 NCAA Baseball World Series, for example, the TV commenta-
tors repeatedly talked about how California State University, Fullerton’s team
had been taught to use both positive self-talk and visual imagery. Despite their
lackluster 18–19 season start, moreover, they won the Collegiate World Series,
sweeping number one seeded Texas in three straight games.
More to the point of this book, however, is the case of Dr. Loretta Malandro.
The founder of a successful communication-consulting fi rm, Dr. Malandro trav-
els worldwide as a professional speaker. One of the things she tries to do before
each speaking engagement is to visually imagine herself giving the speech. Even

if it means getting up before dawn, for example, she tries to run five miles and vi-
sualize her upcoming presentation as she runs. Because Dr. Malandro does this
routinely, she sees not only herself as she shares her message but also the posi-
tive feedback she is receiving from her audience.
Because it is yet another way to reduce your uncertainty about an upcoming
speech, visual imagery can also assist you in controlling your level of anxiety
and arousal. This technique works best when you are in a relaxed state and fa-
miliar with the content of your speech. It involves controlled visualization of
your actual speaking situation, which will require practice on your part. The
idea is to see yourself during all phases of your speech. For example, you might
fi rst visualize yourself seated at your desk, relaxed but appropriately aroused
as you wait your turn to speak. Next, you might visualize yourself leaving your
desk, moving to the front of the room, confi dently facing your audience, and
introducing your speech. From here on, you would visualize yourself speak-
ing—moving, gesturing, and making eye contact with individual members of
your audience right up to your conclusion. Finally, you would see your audi-
ence and teacher enthusiastically responding to your presentation. Once you be-
come adept at visualizing, you can even add sound to the picture in your mind’s
eye. Hearing yourself take command of an audience as
you turn a phrase or smoothly make a transition from
one point to another will enhance the impact of visual
imagining.
Visual imagery works best as a complement to actual
practice. Study after study shows that visual imagery ac-
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tually enhances behavioral rehearsal. As a result, you
will want to include it as part of your preparation and
practice routine.

Making Effective Use
of Relaxation Techniques

As discussed earlier, butterfl ies, a racing heart, trem-
bling hands, and weak knees are the result of the exces-
sive adrenaline that is pumped into our systems when
we are overly aroused. One of the best ways to prevent
Exercising before you speak is a great way these symptoms is to condition our bodies to relax in sit-
to manage the stress and anxiety you feel in
anticipation of speaking. uations that are, characteristically, overly arousing. You
can accomplish this in one of several ways.