In Search Of Confidence

[al7]

Can anyone recommend me how coudl I increase my confidence level in term sof social skills\vocal-speech confidence?

Has anyone heard about any kind of seminars\group? Any practial approach to tackle this?

Thanks!

[Alabama]

I don't know of any particular group but there are sites and books that can help you. I suggest to simply try your best not to get nervous when you get a chance to talk. If you do get nervous, just ignore it. That's what I do if I get nervous. Good luck!

[MetallicAguy]

Well if you want confident social skills, make people laugh a lot and make a goal to make everyone laugh that you know. I can make mostly everyone laugh so yeah. Definitely a good skill to have if you want to make friends.

[al7]

1. I don't know of any particular group but there are sites and books that can help you.

 

2. I suggest to simply try your best not to get nervous when you get a chance to talk.

 

1. I have books, but they are not the same as skills: you go to school to learn somehtign not just sit around books.

Site.. what do you mean? what do they offer? I found some site that offere seminars but faaar from my area.

 

2. Haha, you are funny, that is what seminars for: to learn how to not get nervous.

[al7]

Well if you want confident social skills, make people laugh a lot and make a goal to make everyone laugh that you know.

 

It is skill again. I dont mind to learn how to make people laugh. Please advice how and where then.

[MetallicAguy]

Well most people I've made laugh are the sit-up straight 4.0 student types, those people are the easiest lol, say something HILARIOUS that Robin Williams would say and they'll be on a respeirator for hours lol.

[al7]

say something HILARIOUS that Robin Williams would say

 

Please be specifc: how do I learn how to be funny?

Watch Robin Williams, is that what you mean?

....I do not think it has anything to do with confidence though.

[Sn0man]

I've heard of groups that teach people social skills. I think they're called toastmasters, and it's a group you get involved in to learn such things as speaking in public and making speeches and toasts etc. It apparently works wonders for self esteem too. I don't know how you get in touch with them, but they're all over the globe, so you shouldnt have a hard time finding them.

[DN]

I've heard of groups that teach people social skills. I think they're called toastmasters, and it's a group you get involved in to learn such things as speaking in public and making speeches and toasts etc. It apparently works wonders for self esteem too. I don't know how you get in touch with them, but they're all over the globe, so you shouldnt have a hard time finding them.

 

link removed

[DN]

And again - second time today, me banging on about my own interest

community theatre groups - learn self confidence, speaking in public, interaction with lots of supportive people. Great fun, very social and accepting.

 

Two years ago we had a very shy 16 year old join the group. She would hardly speak to anyone but just sat quietly and helped with props. I gave her a walk on, non-speaking part in a show I was directing and she reluctantly took it on. It almost literally transfomed her. She now converses easily, found a boyfriend and was accepted into a theatre course at university. That is just one example of many.

[al7]

1. community theatre groups - learn self confidence, speaking in public, interaction with lots of supportive people. Great fun, very social and accepting.

 

1. I agree sounds fun. Just I have a very heavy accent and speak much slower than average English speaker does, so theater is not really for me

I'd like to do that though...maybe... but my performance sucks big time.

I guess I would better improve my vocal confidence first.

How could I find some group\semminar that might help?

 

2. toastmasters are great, I have visited them. They are very organized and very directed: they pracitice giving public speech.

Since I had some teaching experience I already overcome most part of theat "public speasking anxiety" that toastmasters are addressing.

Again, they are great I recommed them to people, plus it is practically almost for free.

 

I also visited local forensics team. They kick me out... because I am not undergrad anymore, that had that weird qualification there.

 

In what direction should I make a search?

[DN]

Many groups have free or very cheap workshops, classes etc. to help with speech, diction, those sorts of skills. You don't have to be good, it's a learning process - and there is no obligation to audition for a part if you don't want to. Plus most groups need all sorts of backstage skills to put on shows and so you can start like that.

 

There is also a wonderful week long residential summer course run by Theatre Ontario at Brock Univ. Costs about $750 Canadian and includes classes, food and board. I have never heard anybody who has taken a course and not enjoyed it, most make lasting friendships and learn a lot. One of the best weeks vacation I have had. Most evenings are spent with fellow students, talking, singing (someone usually has a guitar) and socialising. The accent will not be a problem and you will get some hints in how to deal with it.

 

Have a look at the acting course - could give you all sorts of ideas on how to change your social interaction.

 

link removed

[al7]

I guess you are right. I am very introverted and basically do not know how to socialize with a light tone. I mean I know "in general" but I lack skills and practice sinnce I do not know many people around here.

 

So, if I am being just myself.. hmm.. I am quiet and reserved which i snot good. I am looking for somehting to improve it, that right.

[al7]

1. Many groups have free or very cheap workshops, classes etc. to help with speech, diction, those sorts of skills.

 

2. You don't have to be good, it's a learning process - and there is no obligation to audition for a part if you don't want to. Plus most groups need all sorts of backstage skills to put on shows and so you can start like that.

 

3. There is also a wonderful week long residential summer course run by Theatre Ontario at Brock Univ. Costs about $750 Canadian and includes classes, food and board.

 

4. The accent will not be a problem and you will get some hints in how to deal with it.

 

1. Where.. where I can find those type of groups????? I have been looking for some sort of affordable speech therapy (to reduce my accent)

, a stundet or somehting.. but schools around here which teach speech pathology just directed me to ESL groups which has nothign to do with speech pathology. Anyway, just for info: 1 hour of regular speech pathlogists cost about $264.

 

2. Maybe, I am just not sure: imagine I show up and say I am interested

in theater. They listen to me and first thing they say would be youbetter work on your accent first. Right? It woudl be starnge if I say well guys I am interested in helping you out with decorations..

 

3. it sounds that course is for some people who have at least some experience and some strang interest in it. I didn't even start yet...

 

4. Well, my accent is not like British or Australian ok... it is much heavier that require a lot of work. The thing is I cannot work on it just by myself...

I would definitely lie to find tips on how to deal with it r how to improve and especially how to find people who can help....

[S4il]

I know making people laugh durning your speach is a way to "Soften" the pressure that is on you while speaking in front of people.

[al7]

I know making people laugh durning your speach is a way to "Soften" the pressure that is on you while speaking in front of people.

 

I basically do not speajin front of many people plus I have no big problems doing that. I have hard time socializing, speaking in a loud voice, dealing with my accent...speaking with confidence.

And I am looking fro some group\people who may help with it.

[DN]

what is your nearest city?

[al7]

what is your nearest city?

Detroit

[DN]

link removed

 

look for the ones that say community theatre - don't bother with the professional groups

[Spirits Away]

You know what al, just dive into conversations without thinking. Look for opportunity and do not think what would happen. Your convo skills will eventually get better the more people you have contact with.

[MetallicAguy]

Al7 when I said say something like Robin Williams, basically you adapt to a comedians humor, then once you make nearly everyone laugh after you practice your charisma enough you GAIN CONFIDENCE through that.

[al7]

You know what al' date=' just dive into conversations without thinking. Look for opportunity and do not think what would happen. [/quote']

 

That is the problem I want to learn how to deal with.

I CANNOT just "not think"... plus I cannot just "dive into"...

Apparently you can and sure you cannot imagine how other people

cannot do it. I am reserved, introvert, a thinker type. I do not make conversations easily.

I know it is a flaw of mine so I am looking for people, seminars who can help me improve that.

[Spirits Away]

I don't see why you would think of it as flaw. It's just different. You know what... like i've said, if that is the problem then you should dive in even quicker. You need some success in that area in order to have different views about your conversational ability.

[al7]

Al7 when I said say something like Robin Williams, basically you adapt to a comedians humor, then once you make nearly everyone laugh after you practice your charisma enough you GAIN CONFIDENCE through that.

 

I started to dislike these kinda comments, "be a comedian, get charisma"

If I knew how to tell jokes like Robin Williams I would do that.

If I knew how to practice charisma I would do that already.

The problem I DO NOT know how to do that. Thats why I ask for advice

where\who SPECIFICALLY can help me with that.

You know about seminars about RObin Williams? Or Charisma?

Then let me know. Otherwise please stick to the topic do not tell me "just be confident and tell jokes". I hope I am very on that issue.

[al7]

1. I don't see why you would think of it as flaw. It's just different. You know what...

 

2. like i've said, if that is the problem then you should dive in even quicker.

 

3. You need some success in that area in order to have different views about your conversational ability.

 

1. Why is it a problem? I am not at socializing, I do not talk much, I have hard time talking to people I do not know, I basically cannot find people to spend quality time with. Friends are hard to find especially when you are quiet and reserved. Make sense?

 

2. Dive in.. what? I just do not know how to be good at socializing..

I guess you are just too good at it or have too many friends and it i snot obvious to you. You are right in the sense I am different.

 

3. Right. Thats why I am looking for some sort of training in this area, any info could help: for example I already email some local theaters...we'll see what'll happen.