Earlier, I shared with you two physical exercises to activate your stage presence. Today I am going to introduce to you another one. This exercise is derived from a book titled “Peak Performance Presentation”. If you have the chance, go borrow the book. There are many more exercises in it that can help you optimize your peformance on stage. However, if you want the essence of it, then continue keeping track of this week’s posts.

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If this is the first time you are visiting this blog, welcome! This week I am focusing my posts on how you can activate your stage presence and command the listening of your audience. So before you read this post, you may want to start with the following posts:

Backtracking >>>
Stage Presence: A gift for the lucky few?
Introducing the Foundations of Presence Part 1 - Stay Present!

Great! How did the relaxation technique come along? What are some of the immediate effects you experience? Remember, like any technique or tool, its effectiveness comes from daily practices. So keep working on it until it becomes second nature.

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One of the fundamentals of stage presence is staying present. Let me give you a counter example that most of us can relate to. Right before your presentation, all that you can think of is getting it done and over with. All you are present to is your nerves and inner voices, like “What if I forget my speech?” or “What if the audience gets bored?” Even during your presentation, all you can think of is rushing through so that you can get back into your seat. And right after your presentation, you have no idea what happened. Did your audience get your message? Were you on time? Did you finish what you wanted to say? All you can remember is saying thank you and getting back in your seat. You don’t even recall if the audience clapped for you and all you can feel is relief that it is all over. Familiar?

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Last night, I finally caught the Singapore Idol Finals. I have to say that Singapore did made the right choice by selecing Hady and Jon. You should see how electrifying the entire atmosphere was. Without discounting the months-long anticipation and idol-craze, a lot of it has to do with the showmanship and stage presence of the two performers too. I got goosebumps watching them perform even though I was in the comfort of my own home. That’s powerful!

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Have you ever encounter speakers who have incredible stage presence and can mesmerize the audience just by being on stage? There is an indescribable aura or energy around the speaker that simply commands your attention. He draws you into his speech almost immediately and it takes ten Hercules to break the connection. Hours turn to minutes and minutes turn to seconds. When the speaker leaves the stage, you feel the inexplicable sense of disappointment.

Imagine if this speaker is you! Every speech you give will be mind blowing and you will have the audience eating from your hands as you desire. Now, won’t that be a gift you will die for?

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Last night I had a nightmare. I dreamt that I lost my voice! Yikkkeeeess. No matter how hard I tried to make a sound, nothing came out. Not even a whimper. Guess that is the speaker’s greatest fear after they conquered their fear of public speaking. How unfair! Anyway I woke up to my relief when I found out that I just had an itchy throat. (phew!) Nonetheless, to play safe, I went online and researched on how we should protect our vocal cords (aka voice) Here’s a list of practical pointers I found online that will save your voice for more meaningful purposes. Gossips don’t count…

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Hoooorrrayyyy!!! We did it. The public speaking workshop held last Friday at San Yu Adventist School was a resounding success. The participants got what they have intended for and I had helluva fun making it happen. I would like to take this opportunity to share with all of you my thoughts and pictures taken that day!

For the past two years, I have collaborated with various organizations to conduct public speaking programs. But I have never got to do one of my own. Last month I decided that enough is enough. It was about time I venture out and create one of my own. This workshop became a manifestation of such an intention.

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Wow! I just learnt that one of my articles in this blog The Art of Schmoozing has been featured in Straits Time (under Recruit) on 29th August. For those of you who are not from Singapore, Straits Time is the main paper in our country. Just like New York Times in NY and Philadelphia Inquirer in Philly. It feels good to be acknowledged and it comes with a pay cheque! Because of the article, I am offered a $300 training assignment at the end of the month. Beeeaaaauuuutttttiiiifffffffuuuuul!!! I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have been faithfully supporting this blog. THANK YOU VERY VERY MUCH! Look out for pictures taken from today’s inaugural public speaking workshop titled “From Brown Cow to Purple Cow: What it takes to be a remarkable presenter”

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Memo from CEO to Manager:
Today at 11 o’clock there will be a total eclipse of the sun. This is when the sun disappears behind the moon for two minutes. As this is something that cannot be seen everyday, time will be allowed for employees to view the eclipse in the parking lot. Staff should meet in the lot at ten o’clock, when I will deliver a short speech introducing the eclipse, and giving some background information. Safety goggles will be made available at a small cost.

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Author’s Note: Last year during my one year stint in Philadelphia, I met up with this amazing guy, JJ at a speech contest. We became fast friends after that. Who won’t especially after you learn that he is as crazy about public speaking as you are AND he is cool about exchanging speaking pointers over beer and buffalo wings? Enjoy the article below penned by Mr Charismatic!

A topic that is often addressed in public speaking is how – How do I overcome anxiety? How do I deliver statements with maximum impact? How do I organize the contents of my speech? – but very seldom do we address the why. Why do we give speeches, and what should be our purpose?

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