8 ways to communicate confidently

confident meeting

Not many of us believe we are great speakers, nor do we necessarily find ourselves comfortable when encountering new people and situations. How often have you found yourself rehearsing your words ahead of a meeting? Even though some might feel or appear more confident, it would be fair to say that they too occasionally get cold feet. Nervousness or palpitations can indicate a lack of self confidence – but there are ways you can help yourself.


Low self confidence can affect you in numerous ways: exam nerves, fear of public speaking, job interviews, meeting new people, stage fright, fear of being laughed at – to name just a few. Some of us experience visible or physical signs of low confidence such as sweating, stammering, shaking, or blushing.

So here are a few ways you can overcome this…

1. Start with what you know. If you have a presentation coming up, rehearse what you’ll say the first minute or so, preferably keeping it focused on something you know and understand well. If you start confidently, the nerves will decrease as you gradually settle into what you’re saying.

2. Listen – both to others who speak confidently, and yourself. Listening to the sound of your own voice, and enhancing your delivery with techniques from confident speakers, can teach you to speak with conviction.

3. Be humble. We all make mistakes, so don’t be afraid to occasionally check that everyone understands you – and if you do make a mistake, just make a joke out of it. People naturally warm to those who show their human side.

4. Maintain gentle eye contact. Be sure to include everyone in the room when talking to a group.

5. Crack a joke! A little bit of humour can work wonders, helping to lift any tension. You’ll get the attention of the majority of the crowd, and they’ll see you as warm and approachable.

6. Find points in common with your listeners. Interaction helps with sharing ideas – as well as learning more about others, and how else you can potentially interest them.

7. Smile! Much like eye contact, the non-verbal elements of your communication can make all the difference. You can better express yourself when you smile – and the warmth will come across in your voice as well.

8. Prepare. If appropriate, make a note of the key points you wish to communicate, and have them in front of you to help you maintain your focus. Rehearse a few times beforehand, and even if you don’t end up needing notes, just having them to hand can be reassuring. You might even ask someone you trust to give you feedback.

What next?

If you’ve tried most or all of these and are still struggling, there may be something holding you back at the subconscious level – and this is where hypnotherapy can help you. By addressing the root of low confidence – your self image in your own eyes – hypnosis helps you get rid of unwanted beliefs about yourself, helps clear the clutter in your mind, and can help you discover a new you. By using hypnotherapy, you can take care of most problems related to anxiety.

Fear of the situation can become reinforced the more you encounter it, and hypnotherapy for confidence can help you beat it. By working on your inner confidence and focusing on all your positive skills and attributes, hypnotherapy clears your mind – and this clarity is manifested externally through a sense of self confidence and assertiveness. You can try it out right now with these downloads (with a more comprehensive programme here).

However, there may be events in your past which contributed to your present situation, which may make it more helpful to work with someone who understands your individual history and circumstances. Seeing a qualified hypnotherapist such as myself can help you make peace with these, quickly and effectively. As a performing musician also, I understand especially well such feelings of stage fright; and have helped many of my clients with these issues (see my success stories). I am based in Canterbury and London; and also offer online sessions, wherever in the world you may be. Please feel welcome to call me on 07947 475721 for a free no-obligation 15 minute phone consultation – and soon you’ll be able to look back on that old anxiety as a thing of the past.

Memory and concentration improvement with hypnosis

memory and concentration

man at work concentrating

If a tool was available to you to help improve memory and concentration, would you be interested in learning how to use it? The good news is that there is such a tool which can do just that, and much more: hypnotherapy. Many people complain of having poor memory and concentration for one reason or another. Forgetting birthdays, anniversaries, important facts, and so on is frustrating and sometimes, embarrassing. Poor concentration can cause problems in learning and at work. You can turn this around by working with a qualified hypnotherapist.

Memory and concentration explained

Memory is the capacity to record information. A number of things can affect someone’s ability to remember, include lack of sleep, stress, poor diet, and the natural ageing process. On the other hand, concentration is the ability to recall information successfully. Interestingly, any type of heightened emotional state can improve concentration. For instance, most people can tell you exactly where they heard the news of the World Trade Centre attack on September 11th – or the assassination of John F. Kennedy, for a previous generation. But although you probably recall major events, if I asked what you ate yesterday, you’d probably have to stop and think.

To develop a solid memory, certain factors must be in place. This includes attention, or intending to remember. Then, there is interest. So if you have a genuine interest in the subject, this creates the heightened emotional state that increases concentration and memory.

Next, the subconscious mind works more effectively with images and feelings than it does with numbers and words. Repetition is another key factor. Through repeated exposure, information will eventually become ingrained in your mind. Next is relaxation, which is essential for you to recall information. The bottom line is that the subconscious mind needs to be relaxed to function optimally.

Finally, you need to believe you have a solid memory. Rather than always telling yourself how forgetful or unfocused you are, try filling your mind instead with positive reinforcement about your powers of recall.

How hypnotherapy can improve memory and concentration

Hypnotherapy is a tool that can take all of the above factors and enhance them. This means that the result of enhancing memory and concentration is much more effective. A hypnotherapist can teach you to focus, develop, and use your permanent memory, and sharpen your mind. Hypnosis reaches deep into the subconscious, which is the source of your memory. By learning how to use the subconscious mind, you will notice that you remember more often and more details, while having the ability to focus and concentrate much better.

During the hypnotic state, you will reach a wonderful level of relaxation although you will still be completely aware. People sometimes have the misconception that hypnosis means losing control. Actually, this could not be further from the truth. Instead, you will find yourself in an enjoyable peaceful place, more like staying in bed on a lazy Sunday morning. Typically, hypnosis involves feeling pleasantly like being half-awake and half-asleep. Your mind is still sharp and aware, but your subconscious receives suggestions more. And these are what help your mind become more effective.

If you want to discover the benefits of enhanced memory and concentration, why not give it a quick try now and see for yourself? But don’t stop there – hypnotherapy can also reduce your stress levels; improve your sense of self-esteem and confidence; and overall, increase your desire for a healthy lifestyle (see my clients’ success stories). I am based in Canterbury and London; and also offer online sessions, wherever in the world you may be. Please feel welcome to call me on 07947 475721 for a free no-obligation 15 minute phone consultation to see how I can help.

Just think how much easier life will be once you stop losing things, forgetting names, missing deadlines, and being hindered by with poor memory and concentration. With help from hypnotherapy, you can make a real change in your life for the better.

Beating exam stress

beating exam stress

girl writing exam paper

It’s coming up to that time of year when teenagers across the country are feeling the heat… and I’m not talking about the eventual arrival of British summer. With endless revision, exam stress, and ‘A* or bust’ expectations, it’s a testing time in every way.

Staying in good mental and physical shape

While there’s a temptation to cram for exams, it has been proved that a ‘spacing’ strategy is considerably more effective for revision. A bite-sized approach works best with the brain’s natural learning capacities. And this has the added benefit of allowing other vital needs to be incorporated into a programme of study, helping reduce exam stress overall.

When students feel they have to study 24/7, regular meals, exercise, and sleep can fall by the wayside. And even more so if they are especially anxious. As students are used to leading timetabled lives, it can help to design home-based study and relaxation timetables together. It will help them remember these basic needs, and to stay mentally balanced and physically healthy throughout this time. This approach also provides a sense of control as the pressure rises and exam time approaches.

How can hypnotherapy help with exam stress?

Anxiety is complex, however. Students may still feel a sudden sense of overwhelm, resulting in ‘brain fade’ – or simply blind panic. This is where hypnotherapy can be incredibly beneficial – and you can try it right now with this download.

Students can learn self-calming techniques to use, and other practical means of coping with anxiety. They can also learn to visualise a calm and confident persona entering and leaving the exam room, which can help them face their fears. Many young people respond well to techniques that use their imaginations. Picturing themselves in new ways starts the process of overcoming limiting beliefs, and feeling more positive about their abilities. Important steps on the road to success in life, with or without A* grades!

I am a qualified hypnotherapist and life coach, experienced in helping clients – including young people – deal with anxiety and stress (see my success stories). I am based in Canterbury and London; and also offer online sessions, wherever in the world you may be. I offer a free no-obligation 15 minute phone consultation, so call me on 07947 475721 to see how I can help.

Article first appeared on the Hypnotherapy Directory  May 2017