Written by: Laura Lohk, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
When I was 18, and still living in Estonia, I was asked to speak at a popular live TV show. Very similar to the ‘Question Time’ in the UK. I thought it would be a good opportunity, so I said ‘Yes’. When I got there, I didn’t realise that half of the program was in Russian, a language I do not speak even a tiny bit. But, the camera was rolling and I was sitting in the front row. My heart was racing because as the other speakers shared their opinion, I had pretty much no idea what was discussed. Plus, I knew that any minute now, the presenter will give me the microphone and I have to say my bit. I had two choices – to run and make a complete fool of myself on live TV or pretend like I absolutely knew what was going on. I did the latter. I spoke in the most confident manner I could master of what I thought was the correct subject and literally ‘prayed’ it was at least somewhat to the topic that was being discussed. To this day I have no idea whether it was or not.
Whenever I share this story with my clients, it sends chills down their spine as so many business owners couldn’t think of anything worse than speaking in public, going live through social media or even posting pre-recorded videos.
Yet, THEIR personality, THEIR story, and THEIR authenticity is the thing that attracts their audience to the value their business brings. That’s the key to their business success. The authentic connection with their audience.
So, why do so many business owners fear putting themselves out there?
It’s not that they have nothing to say. It’s not that they don’t have a good service. They do.
It all comes down to this one thing – the inner relationship they have with themselves. The old beliefs they carry about who they are and their capability. Things like ‘I’m not good enough’ or ‘What others think of me if I say this’ or ‘what if I forget my words’… what if, what if, what if.
These fears and old belief systems will keep them away from achieving a true and authentic connection with their audience. And ultimately, it keeps them away from achieving their true potential.
I’m saying ‘old’ beliefs because that’s exactly what they are. Old. Something they learned when they were young and something unconscious mind saved in order to ‘protect’ them.
Helping my clients get over these mental blocks are 70% of what I do. Really getting to the unconscious level and working from root cause upwards so that they would get the most benefit.
3 things you can do to be more confident on camera
1. Subconscious Inner Work
Up to 95% of your day is run by your unconscious mind. It does it based on your past ‘programming’. To transform these old programs, subconscious work is necessary. It’s a little bit like weeding. You can cut it with scissors and it disappears for a few days or you can pull out the root for permanent results. Unless you are experienced in this area, working with someone to guide you, is the most effective approach here.
2. Mind and Body Connection
I’m sure you know this but let me remind you that your mind and body are connected. If your mind is full of negative chatter, your body language replicates this. Luckily, there are several things you can do to embody confidence. My favourite one is to close my eyes and visualise a confident person in front of me in as much detail as possible. Then, I imagine that this confident person has my head on their shoulder, and again, I visualise it in as much detail as possible. Finally, I imagine associating myself into that confident body. Remember, your brain doesn’t know whether you are visualising or whether something is actually happening. Use this to your advantage.
3. Your audience as your best friend
Are you petrified when you are talking to your best friend? What if this friend was on a zoom call with you? Your answer probably is ‘No, of course I am not petrified’. When I first started doing live videos, that’s what I did. I pretended that I am talking to my best friend, not the camera or strangers I had never met. Before I pressed the record or a live button, I visualised that there is no camera, just me talking to my best friend. It still works every time.
There are many things you can do to become confident on stage or on camera. You just have to choose the one that aligns with you. Whichever one you choose, it will be so worth it if you are truly committed to your business's success.
Laura Lohk, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Laura Lohk, is a holistic business coach. She is helping online business owners to get clarity in their business, rewire and update their subconscious mindset blocks that have held them back, teach them the strategies and roadmap they need to quantum leap their success. Her mission is to help people to strengthen their self-belief, confidence and power, so everyone can unlock their potential and reach their wildest dreams.
