4. Confidence Activity: To improve your speaker confidence using positive imagery, divide into small groups and complete the following:

a. Based on the chapter information on situational and trait anxiety, have each member write three to five positive statements that relate to speaking skills or any personal behaviors or habits you would like to see changed—interviewing anxiety, math anxiety, test anxiety, negative self-talk, or even smoking.

b. Remember that these statements should sound like the behavior mentioned is already true (even though you know it is not true yet). Therefore, avoid using want, will, or hope in your statements.

For example, say “I enjoy giving presentations.”

Not, I hope to learn to enjoy speaking;

or I want to enjoy speaking, or even, I will enjoy giving presentations. Make the statement sound like it is already happening and is already true about you. Also, avoid anything that sounds negative. For example, instead of saying, “My voice does not shake,” say, “When I speak, my voice is strong and steady.”

c. Compile all your statements into one list. Read and edit the list for needed changes. Be prepared to share your list with other groups.

d. To be effective, these statements and any personal ones you add to the list, should be read twice a day. As you read them, imagine yourself successfully completing each one while feeling confident. In other words, read it, see it, and feel it as you work to improve your confidence.

e. As group members, practice reading the statements making them sound like they are true and that the group members really mean them.