--- title: Visualize Your Own Success as a Speaker description: You have a speech or presentation coming up. Naturally, you’ve been thinking about it. The truth is you’ve been kind of obsessing about, haven’t you? --- [![Genard Method Public Speaking Training](https://www.genardmethod.com/hubfs/images/bg-brand.png)](https://www.genardmethod.com/) ### Get email updates on dynamic public speaking! Search... Search ## Gary Genard's # Public Speaking Articles > "Be a voice not an echo." **- Albert Einstein** # Visualize Your Own Success as a Speaker Aug 16, 2011 by [Gary Genard](https://www.genardmethod.com/articles/author/gary-genard) If you have an important presentation coming up, it's natural for you to be worrying about it. But you shouldn't obsess about it! In fact, the more you dwell upon possible outcomes of your talk, the more likely you are to lead yourself into negative territory. That's called a "self-fulfilling prophecy."  Of course, thinking this way isn't going to do any good for your upcoming speech. So why not imagine positive outcomes instead of negative ones? Doing so is called practicing a "positive visualization." I go a step further and label doing this a "Commanding Performance" (as in an award-winning movie). This isn't a real movie, but a scenario you come up with in your head. Here's how you go about it:  You "see" the positive outcome of your speech or presentation beforehand. Then, when you deliver your actual speech, you're much more likely to end up with a beneficial experience rather than a negative one. Simple, isn't it? Here are some more hints: Be sure to include all the good things you imagine will occur when you speak: meeting your objectives, an audience that pays attention, people thinking of you the way you want them to, etc. (Since it's in your head, you have perfect license to do so!) Importantly, include how you *feel *about the situation.  The amount of specifics you include is entirely up to you. Here is a sample Commanding Performance I've created. The one you come up with will be entirely different, of course. Whatever the reality of your situation, try to make your "movie" as close to the real event as possible (given the details you know beforehand, that is). A Commanding Performance I'm delivering a lecture today to the Public Garden Initiative in Anytown. I'm pleased to have been chosen to speak because I fervently believe in public gardens in all of our cities and towns. I'm dressed well, and feel professional and prepared. When I'm introduced, the applause is genuinely warm. I walk to the lectern and smile pleasantly at the audience. And they smile pleasantly back! Then I begin to speak, taking my time so I make all the points I've prepared to make. My voice sounds confident, and I am speaking clearly. I make sure my eye contact with my listeners is strong as well. I deliver all my main points just as I've practiced them. This is really turning out to be a positive experience. I conclude strongly, and the applause is loud and appreciative. In the Q & A, people ask genuinely interesting questions, and I learn some things as well. Clearly, this has been an enjoyable experience for me and for my listeners. As I walk to shake hands with my host, I overhear someone say, "That was the best speech I've heard in a long time!" I realize then that this has been a rewarding experience for them and me.   Tags: [Speaking for Leadership](https://www.genardmethod.com/articles/topic/speaking-for-leadership) Search the Blog ### Subscribe to Email Updates #### Follow Gary Genard - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/GenardMethod) - [Twitter](https://twitter.com/GaryGenard) - [LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/company/public-speaking-international) - [Google+](https://plus.google.com/u/0/104064814774278127603/about) - [YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM1h5J4ghnisHTBrde8mDTw) [![Fearless Speaking Book](https://www.genardmethod.com/hubfs/images/fs-callout.jpg)](http://www.fearlessspeakingbook.com/) - [ABOUT](https://www.genardmethod.com/about) - [Training Techniques](https://www.genardmethod.com/about/theater-based-techniques) - [Dr. Gary Genard](https://www.genardmethod.com/about/dr-gary-genard) - [What Our Clients Say](https://www.genardmethod.com/testimonials) - [Client List](https://www.genardmethod.com/about/client-list) - [Media](https://info.genardmethod.com/garygenardinthemedia) - #### Main Office - Boston info@GenardMethod.com 617-993-3410 - [STORE](https://info.genardmethod.com/store) - [RESOURCES](https://www.genardmethod.com/resources) - [BLOG](https://www.genardmethod.com/blog) - [COACHING](https://www.genardmethod.com/coaching) - [Executive Presentation Skills](https://www.genardmethod.com/coaching/executive-presentation-skills) - [Fearless Speaking](https://www.genardmethod.com/coaching/fear-of-public-speaking) - [Voice and Speech Improvement](https://www.genardmethod.com/coaching/voice-and-speech-improvement) - [Rehearsal & Preparation](https://info.genardmethod.com/presentation-coaching) - **[CORPORATE TRAINING](https://www.genardmethod.com/corporate-training)**  - [Leadership Communication](https://www.genardmethod.com/corporate-training/leadership-development-public-speaking) - [Group Presentation Skills](https://www.genardmethod.com/corporate-training/speak-at-your-best) - [Executive Speech Coaching](https://www.genardmethod.com/coaching/executive-presentation-skills) [![Global Gurus](https://www.genardmethod.com/hubfs/GLOBAL%20GURUS%20LOGOS/logo-globalgurus%20communication-2022.png) Global Gurus named Gary to its list of the World's Top 30 Communication Professionals for the ninth consecutive year in 2022. ](http://www.globalgurus.org/communication/communicationgurus30.php) © 2023 The Genard Method  |  All rights reserved  |  [Contact Us](https://www.genardmethod.com/contact) - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/GenardMethod) - [Twitter](https://twitter.com/GaryGenard) - [LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/company/public-speaking-international) - [Google+](https://plus.google.com/u/0/104064814774278127603/about) - [YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM1h5J4ghnisHTBrde8mDTw)