What Causes the Fear of Public Speaking? Past Trauma

A woman at a podium with a scared look on her face illustrates the question, "What causes the fear of public speaking?"

What causes the fear of public speaking? If you could pinpoint the reason for your own fear, how could that help you overcome your anxiety? In Speak With No Fear, Mike Acker suggests that the root of the fear of public speaking often lies in past traumatic experiences. He offers strategies to identify and work through these memories, helping you move past your anxiety and become a more confident speaker. Keep reading to understand Acker’s insights on uncovering—and healing from—the experiences that hold you back.

How to Read People’s Body Language for Signs of Stress

An excited person, a scared person, and a content person showing how to read people's body language

How can you tell when someone’s stressed? What does a person’s body language say about them? You can observe someone’s behavior and mannerisms to develop a profile of their behavior. Additionally, you can read someone’s behavior and speech to detect stress—and potentially, signs of deception.  Keep reading to learn how to read people’s body language and detect went they’re stressed.

3 Methods of Persuasion: Getting People to Want What You Want

Five coworkers chatting in an open workspace employ various methods of persuasion

Do you know how to influence others effectively? How effective are you at drawing them in and winning them over to your ways of thinking? Mastering the art of persuasion is a valuable skill in all facets of life. In How to Become a People Magnet, Marc Reklau explores three methods of persuasion: leading people to your ideas, appealing to authority, and focusing on positive responses. Keep reading to discover how you can apply these methods in your daily life and increase your ability to influence others.

How to Prepare for Speaking in Public: Plan for the Worst

A cartoon of a woman at a desk imagining herself speaking at a podium illustrates how to prepare for speaking in public

Are you nervous about speaking in front of a crowd? Do you need to know how to prepare for speaking in public? Overcoming the fear of public speaking can be challenging, but there are strategies to help. If you have a speech or presentation coming up, a quick method involves planning for worst-case scenarios to build up your confidence and readiness. Read on to discover how you can use your imagination to conquer your public speaking anxiety and deliver a memorable presentation.

Authenticity in Public Speaking: Give a Talk, Not a Performance

A smiling woman in front of a crowd illustrates the importance of authenticity in public speaking

Does public speaking make you nervous? Do you feel like you have to be someone else when you’re in front of an audience? Public speaker and coach Mike Acker contends that, when you’re giving a speech, it’s important for you to be yourself. Authenticity in public speaking is crucial because it leads you to feel more relaxed and confident. It also makes you appear more trustworthy to your audience. Read on to discover how embracing your unique style and focusing on your audience can transform your public speaking experience.

The Importance of Gratitude and How to Unlock It

A woman smiling at a man who's given her a gift, representing the importance of gratitude in relationships

What’s the importance of gratitude? How can you unlock even more gratitude than you already have? In their book The Tools, Phil Stutz and Barry Michels say that when you notice yourself stuck in a downward spiral of negative thought, gratitude can stop your descent. Gratitude makes you more aware of the loving, creative forces of the universe. Here’s why gratitude is worth practicing and how to foster it.

Can Stress Cause Speech Problems: 4 Signs That It Does

A woman who is stressed out has a speech bubble with only dots, representing how stress can cause a speech problem

How does someone’s speech show if they’re being deceptive? Can stress cause speech problems? Even though stress is psychological, it often manifests in physical ways. One way stress can show itself is through someone’s speech. Further, signs of stress in someone’s speech may indicate they’re lying. Discover how you can tell if someone’s bending the truth just by the way they talk.

Public Speaking Nerves: How to Use Them to Your Advantage

A brunette woman with public speaking nerves giving a speech in front of an audience

Do you let anxiety get the best of you during public speaking? What if you could harness that nervous energy to deliver powerful presentations? Public speaking nerves are a common experience, but they don’t have to hold you back. In fact, that nervous energy can be a powerful tool when channeled correctly. By focusing on your purpose and staying present, you can transform anxiety into enthusiasm. Read on to discover practical strategies for conquering your fears and becoming a more confident, engaging speaker.

Cluttered Website? Tips for Avoiding Busyness & Fluff

A bearded man in an office looking at a website with a simple web page design on a computer monitor

Is your cluttered website turning visitors away? How does a simple web page design keep users engaged? Effective web design doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, simplicity is often the key to success. By focusing on essential elements and eliminating unnecessary clutter, you can create a website that’s both visually appealing and easy to navigate. Continue reading to discover how you can make your site stand out for all the right reasons.

Smart Brevity: Book Overview & Key Takeaways

A man holding and reading a book while sitting at a desk with a cup of coffee, another book, and a plant

Are you struggling to capture your audience’s attention in today’s fast-paced digital world? Do you want to learn how to communicate more effectively in both personal and professional settings? Smart Brevity, a book by Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen, and Roy Schwartz, offers a solution to these challenges. The book introduces a method for clear, concise communication that respects readers’ time while delivering impactful messages. Keep reading to discover how you can apply these principles to improve your writing, social media presence, and workplace communication.