The Mind Game

The Public Speaking Coach and CEO of the Blue Light Speakers Agency, Andrew Ledgerton-Lynch OBE, looks at the mind’s astonishing secret weapon (and why it works)

There is a simple yet profound insight that can be a game-changer for anyone who has ever felt those familiar butterflies before stepping onto a stage – or even contemplating it. It’s a straightforward yet powerful truth: your mind, in its incredible complexity, often struggles to differentiate between something vividly imagined and something actually experienced. Or to put it another way, your mind can’t differentiate between the highly imagined and the real!

Think about it for a moment. Have you ever been engrossed in a thrilling novel or a captivating film, your heart racing, your palms perhaps even a little sweaty, as the protagonist faces a daunting challenge? Even though you are safely seated, your body responds as if you were right there in the thick of it. This isn't a flaw in our design; it's an extraordinary feature we can learn to harness, especially when it comes to the art of public speaking.

The anxiety we feel before a presentation, that knot in the stomach, the racing thoughts – these are often triggered by our imagination running wild. We envision the worst-case scenarios: the blank stares, the forgotten lines, the critical questions. Our minds react to these vividly constructed scenarios as if they were actually happening, flooding our system with stress hormones.

But here's the exhilarating flip side of this coin: if our mind can react to negative imaginings, it can equally respond to positive ones. This is where the true power lies for aspiring and seasoned speakers alike.

To truly grasp this potential, let's delve into six key ways our mind blurs the lines between the highly imagined and the real:

Emotional Response: As you experienced with the gripping novel, your body reacts emotionally to vividly imagined scenarios. Whether it's fear, excitement, or joy, the physiological responses – increased heart rate, release of hormones, muscle tension – can be remarkably similar to those experienced in a real situation. Imagine a standing ovation, and you might just feel a surge of positive emotion, even before it happens.
Neural Pathways: Our brains build neural pathways based on our experiences, both real and imagined. When you repeatedly visualise a successful presentation, you are essentially laying down the neurological groundwork for that success. These pathways become more established and readily accessible, making the actual experience feel more familiar and less threatening.
Subconscious Acceptance: The subconscious mind is particularly susceptible to vivid imagery and repetition. When you consistently imagine yourself speaking confidently and connecting with your audience, your subconscious begins to accept this as your reality. This can lead to a natural increase in self-assurance and a reduction in self-doubt.
Skill Rehearsal: Mental practice allows you to rehearse skills and responses without physically performing them. Imagine yourself smoothly transitioning between points, confidently answering questions, and using your visual aids effectively. This mental run-through can sharpen your actual performance, making it feel more natural and practiced.
Belief Formation: Our beliefs about ourselves and our capabilities are heavily influenced by our internal dialogue and the images we hold in our minds. By consistently imagining yourself as a capable and engaging speaker, you begin to cultivate a stronger belief in your abilities. This shift in belief can have a profound impact on your confidence and delivery.
Stress Reduction Through Familiarity: The unknown often breeds anxiety. By vividly imagining the speaking environment, the audience, and your successful delivery, you are essentially making the unfamiliar more familiar to your mind. This sense of familiarity can significantly reduce pre-presentation stress and allow you to approach the actual event with greater calm.

“Your mind can’t differentiate between the highly imagined and the real!”

Instead of allowing your mind to conjure up images of disaster, what if you consciously started to paint a different picture? Imagine yourself walking onto the stage with confidence, a genuine smile on your face. Visualise the audience engaged, nodding, and connecting with your message. Feel the energy in the room as your words resonate. Hear the applause at the end, a tangible affirmation of your impact.

The more vividly and consistently you engage in this positive mental rehearsal, the more your mind starts to accept this imagined reality as a potential, even likely, outcome. This isn't about wishful thinking; it's about strategically programming your subconscious.

Consider elite athletes. They spend countless hours not just physically training, but also mentally rehearsing their performances. They visualise every move, every step, every successful outcome. By the time they step into the arena, their minds are already familiar with the feeling of success.

You, as a speaker, can adopt the same powerful technique. Before your next presentation, take some time to truly feel the experience of speaking confidently and connecting with your audience. Engage all your senses in your mental rehearsal. What do you see? What do you hear? How does it feel in your body?

This isn’t about denying the possibility of challenges or imperfections. It’s about building a strong foundation of positive expectation and familiarity. When you step onto that stage, your mind will have a reference point, a feeling of having “been there” before, albeit in the realm of your imagination. This can significantly reduce anxiety and boost your confidence.

So, the next time you feel those pre-speaking jitters, remember this incredible capacity of your mind. Instead of letting negative imaginings take hold, consciously and deliberately cultivate a powerful vision of success. Unleash your inner speaker by leveraging the astonishing truth that your mind believes what you vividly imagine.

Go forth and speak with confidence. Your mind is already on your side.