In her TEDx talk, Caroline Goyder reveals the surprising secret to speaking with confidence by focusing on internal resources rather than external appearance. Goyder starts by reflecting on her own early struggles with public speaking, including a particularly memorable failure where everything went wrong. This experience led her to seek ways to overcome her nervousness and build genuine confidence from within.She introduces three key lessons for finding confidence, symbolized by a custom-made chest of drawers. The first lesson is that our voice is an instrument, like a guitar. Just as a musician practices to master their instrument, we must practice speaking to improve our vocal abilities. Singing regularly, even in casual settings like the shower or car, is a practical way to enhance this skill.The second lesson emphasizes the importance of breath. Confident individuals have a relaxed breathing pattern, which is controlled by the diaphragm. Goyder demonstrates how to engage the diaphragm through simple breathing exercises, which can help calm nerves and project confidence.The final and most profound lesson is that confidence often comes from within, tied to our breath and thoughts. She shares a poignant story about a woman who found strength and composure through the skills Goyder taught, illustrating that speaking with confidence often involves speaking from a place of deep emotion and purpose.Ultimately, Goyder concludes that true confidence in speaking comes from understanding and harnessing the internal aspects of our voice and breath, suggesting that sometimes the best way to find confidence is to “shut your mouth” and focus on your breath.
