How to Become a Bulletproof Public Speaker?

Speak in public. That's a scary idea, right? My point today is that anyone can be a bulletproof speaker if they choose a particular way of thinking.

Note: This article is by Mary Jaksch, writer and founder of the *Goodlife Zen* blog, in which she shares her experience on how to become a successful public speaker.

More on that later. First, let me tell you about my experience with public speaking. A few years ago, I decided to take up public speaking, so I joined Toastmasters. Toastmasters is a great training environment and my confidence has skyrocketed over the past two years with it. I started asking myself:

What makes you a bulletproof speaker?

First, let's go over what bulletproof is. My first thought was a flak jacket. As you know, flak jackets protect you from bullets. It makes you bulletproof. According to an online dictionary, bulletproof means safe from failure—sounds good, doesn't it? Looking further into the word, I discovered that one of the synonyms for the word bulletproof is impervious. As for the flak jacket, it makes you invulnerable to bullets. But what if you want to be a bulletproof speaker?

Do we have to become impervious?

Stepping into public speaking and trying to be impregnable seems like a safe option for many. They take a step back, use the lectern as a shield, avoid looking at the audience, and try to let go of their emotions and fears.

But when we are impervious, we are cut off from the audience, and no inspiration or encouragement from them flows to us as speakers. So going bulletproof isn't the answer, is it? As I said before, being bulletproof means being safe from failure. That sounds reassuring, but does it help?

Stumbling, falling, and picking yourself up

Put public speaking aside and look at toddlers. When I was in Germany recently, I spent a lot of time with my niece and her family. The youngest, Luke, is still learning to walk; he is one year old. He sits up, wobbles, takes a step, and then flops onto his bum.

And he repeats it over and over. Little Luke doesn't try to be' safe from failure.' He just wants to learn to walk, no matter how many times he falls! This is the mindset you need to adopt if you want to be a true bulletproof speaker.

Do you have a growth or a fixed mindset?

Those with a growth mindset see themselves as a work in progress, while those with a fixed mindset believe their capabilities are fixed. With a growth mindset, you can, like toddlers, view so-called "failures" as opportunities to learn and grow.

A fixed mindset, on the other hand, prevents further growth. A few years ago, a friend pointed out that I tend to think of myself as a 'technical dummy,’ especially when it comes to web technical issues. She said, "Why don't you just stop saying that and see what happens?" After a while, I realized that I was good at learning new software. This skill has become one of her strengths when working online.

I turned my fixated mindset into a growth mindset. Learning to speak in public is the same. If you see yourself as a work in progress and recognize endless possibilities, you are well on your way to becoming a bulletproof public speaker.

But what makes us bulletproof speakers?

First, let's look at the practical application of a growth mindset. There are three main ways to support your mindset to grow as a budding public speaker.

1. Set Approach Goals

As you can see, there are two types of goals: avoidance goals and approach goals. Avoidance goals include things like 'I want to avoid taking notes' and 'I want to stop being anxious when speaking.' On the other hand, approach goals are things like "I want to clearly communicate my three points" and "I want to enjoy talking."

As you can imagine, approach goals are more useful than avoidance goals. And they are consistent with a growth mindset.

2. Back Yourself up

It means having the courage to stand tall and not diminish yourself. Speakers often begin with an apology of some kind. They try to downplay what they are trying to say or somehow apologize for who they are. There is a simple solution. Use good posture.

3. Open Your Heart to This moment

If you close up, if you become impervious, you lose connection to the audience. You also lose connection to yourself. The question is, what makes us more open?

I have a simple answer. What makes us more open is a smile. This is an experiment for you. Close your eyes for a moment and imagine yourself cut off from everyone. You are in your own little bubble. Notice how it feels. Well, open your eyes and smile!

Can you tell the difference?

So what is the first thing you can do to open up before you start your speech? Look at the audience and smile!

So what does it mean to become a bulletproof speaker?

If you wear an invisible flak jacket, you become impervious. You can protect yourself; you can defend yourself, but you cut yourself off from others and from yourself.