How to stay confident while communicating?

Communication is the solution to so many problems. So it makes sense to have good communication skills and realise how confidence affects communication.

Have you ever experienced doubt or hesitation when communicating? I know I have experienced this in my life. At times I did not want to speak up because of the fear that what I have to say wasn't important. Or I thought maybe people wouldn’t be interested. 

Other doubts and fears people can have are believing they will sound stupid. This could be subject related or even concerns about their tone of voice. 

Having the self-confidence to speak out, understand others’ and have effective communication skills enable you to excel in your work and social interactions. Not to mention the benefit of good communication within the family, serving as a good example for children. Today I will list some tips to stay confident while communicating.

How does being confident help you?

When you’re self-confident around others, you are:

• Relaxed
• In control
• Flexible
• Treating others well
• Have more belief in yourself
• Easier to communicate with

How to stay confident while communicating?

Here are a few tips to stay confident while communicating:

• Pretend to be confident: If you don’t consider yourself to be a very confident person then you will find that pretending to be confident is much the same as actually being confident. This is because confidence is a choice. Pretending to be confident will lead to people regarding you as a confident person. Soon enough you will believe them and find yourself acting confident all the time.

• Communicate clearly: Most of us think being confident depends upon what we say. It doesn’t, it depends upon what the other person hears. 

         That’s why clear communication is so important: 

1. Speak at a steady and comprehensible pace.
2. Practice breathing rhythmically and in time with your speech.
3. Don’t undersell what you are saying by using maybe words such as ‘just’, ‘like’ and ‘perhaps'.
4.  Maintain eye contact at all times, and remember to smile.

• Use humour: Think about the funniest people that you know. Is it true that they also happen to be the most confident? That’s because being funny is about taking risks. Humour, like confidence, is infectious – so spread it as much as you can, where appropriate.

• Find a mentor: Pick a mentor to be a constant reminder of where you want to be and what you need to do to get there. Having them is helpful because it reminds you to be ambitious at all times. Pick someone who can help you grow by identifying and nurturing your strengths as well as introducing you to a wider support network.

• Look at the part: If you’re feeling comfortable, then you’re more likely to feel confident. Of course, smart attire is important when attending an interview or presenting, but it’s just as important to feel comfortable. If you’re not comfortable in the clothes that you’re wearing then you’re likely to fidget, which is then likely to be interpreted as restlessness or displaying a lack of interest.

• Prepare: Preparing fully prior to an important meeting or presentation will help to settle your nerves, get your mind in the frame and ultimately be more confident in your delivery. By failing to prepare for an interview, meeting or presentation, you are preparing to fail.

• Think positive: Succumbing to negative thoughts is a weakness that most of us suffer from every once in a while. However, it need not be this way. When a negative thought enters your head, make a point to banish it immediately. Reinforce confidence and good feeling by focusing only on the positive and you will see your self-belief grow.

Conclusion:

When put into practice, these seven steps will help create a good impression on everyone you meet. People will be drawn to your confidence and soon you will find yourself becoming more successful in the workplace.