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a speech in particular, knowing your worth and fidence? There are many ways. It is proved
abilities is a must. Unless you are self-confi- that some psychological exercises can fruit-
dent on the stage, the very purpose which your fully develop confidence in us. One of these
speech serves will be lost. is the ‘Mirror Technique’. As a very simple
exercise for everyone, this will help you not
Why is self-confidence important? Believe only to enhance your confidence but to develop
it or not, it makes you look and sound attrac- public speaking skills. Many great personali-
tive. Your self-respect is made strong and your ties, preachers, actors, politicians, leaders and
self-worth is known to yourself and others public speakers openly admit to speaking to
through self-confidence. A good mental health themselves in the mirror to get that confidence
and presence of mind is a gift of self-confi- before an important programme, interview or
dence. It enables you to take a stand for your- meeting.
self so that you will be made self-sufficient
and independent. How do we boost self-con-

Fig 3.1.5 Speaking to the mirror
Facing the mirror, you say statements like tive statements are positive and uplifting state-
out of the seven ones mentioned above, you are ments that we say aloud to ourselves.
the only one who is prepared for the speech.
The mirror will be your most trusted compan- How Do We Go About it?
ion and a credible self-analysis tool. Affirma- Stand in front of a mirror and if it is big,

SGOU - FYUGP - SLM - English for Communication 95