Judy Feldhausen

Based on the feedback, set clear and specific objectives for your practice sessions. For example, if you need to improve eye contact, set a goal to make eye contact with different sections of your audience. Ensure your goals are measurable. This allows you to track progress and adjust your practice as needed. Develop a regular practice schedule. Consistent practice is more effective than sporadic efforts. Allocate specific times for practice. Treat these sessions as important appointments that cannot be missed. Practice in an environment that simulates the actual speaking conditions as closely as possible. This includes practicing in front of a mirror, recording yourself, or rehearsing in front of friends or family.

Choose a quiet place where you can concentrate without distractions. This helps you focus entirely on the feedback and your reflections. Dedicate specific time slots for reflection. Deep reflection requires uninterrupted time to process and internalize the feedback. Go through the feedback multiple times to ensure you understand it completely. Pay attention to both the explicit points and the underlying messages. Write down key points from the feedback. Highlight areas that are repeatedly mentioned or emphasized. Ask yourself what the person providing feedback intended to convey. What are the core issues they identified? Identify specific examples or instances mentioned in the feedback.

Identify specific tasks or actions from the feedback. For example, if the feedback is to improve eye contact, break it down into actionable steps like practicing eye contact with a mirror. Focus on the most critical areas for improvement first. Determine which aspects of your speaking need the most attention based on the feedback received. Establish clear, achievable goals based on the feedback. For instance, if the goal is to enhance vocal variety, set specific targets like varying pitch and tone in different parts of your speech. Develop a timeline for implementing these actions. Set deadlines to ensure that you’re making consistent progress.

See feedback as an opportunity to learn and improve rather than as a personal attack. Embrace the idea that your skills can be developed through effort and persistence. Understand that improving your public speaking skills is a journey. Be open to making changes based on the feedback you receive. Recognize and celebrate the positive feedback you receive. Acknowledging your strengths builds confidence and motivation. Balance Critique with Praise: When receiving feedback, actively look for the positive comments and balance them with the areas for improvement. Reframe negative feedback as constructive criticism meant to help you grow. Understand that the intention behind the feedback is to support your improvement.

Instead of asking for general feedback, ask specific questions about different aspects of your speech. For example, "How was my pacing?" or "Were my main points clear?" Identify areas where you feel less confident and ask for feedback on those specific aspects. This helps you get detailed insights that are directly relevant to your improvement. If feedback is vague, ask for specific examples. For example, "Can you give me an example of when my tone was monotonous?" Encourage feedback that includes both positive aspects and areas for improvement. Knowing what you did well is just as important as knowing what to work on.

Practice with a timer to ensure you stay within the allotted time. This helps you gauge the length of your speech and make necessary adjustments. Focus on maintaining a steady pace. Avoid speaking too quickly or too slowly. Make sure each point gets adequate attention without rushing. Practice speaking out loud to refine your vocal delivery. Pay attention to your tone, volume, pitch, and pace. Ensure you articulate clearly and pronounce each word distinctly. This helps your audience understand your message better. Record yourself delivering the speech. Review the video to identify areas for improvement in your delivery, body language, and pacing. An audio recording can help you focus on vocal aspects, such as clarity, tone, and emphasis.