I used to be a really shy guy. Even though I had a message I desperately wanted to share with the world, the thought of speaking to an audience was terrifying.

I admired people who were great speakers, but I thought I couldn’t do what they did. Of course that’s no longer true, and I make my living by speaking to and teaching others.

No matter who you are or what you do, being able to get and hold the attention of a group can make the difference between success and failure in any area of life. It allows you to make a bigger impact in your business, community and even the world. And you’re better able to convey your hopes, dreams, desires and goals for your life and the world around you.

But how do you give a good speech?

Before I answer that question, think about the times you’ve listened to someone delivering a speech…

First, picture a time when the speaker read from a written script. Now, remember an occasion where the speaker delivered the speech without a script.

Which speaker was better at catching your attention and holding your interest? The one without the script, of course.

I am not suggesting that you should not prepare, nor am I suggesting that you should not write your speech prior to delivering it. A good speech requires a lot of preparation.

Here is a simple but very effective method of delivering a speech that I have used for many years:

1. Know what you are talking about. You must be very familiar with your topic.

2. Write your entire speech, then polish it up and attempt to mix in a bit of humor. When you have the speech written, read it carefully, realizing that you have a picture painted in words.

3. Divide the speech into a number of parts, each part a particular picture. Mentally visualize the various pictures. When you think, think in pictures.

4. Number the pictures. Take the first picture and mentally place it on your front doorstep. Put the second picture just inside your front door, the third picture in your living room, the fourth on the dining room table, and so on.

Sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it? That’s why it works. Memory is developed through ridiculous association. Now you’re ready.

5. When you step up front to give your dynamic talk, relax. Don’t worry about what your audience thinks of you. It is none of your business what they think of you—just think about them.

6. Then, mentally walk up to your house, open the front door, and, as you stroll through your home, describe the pictures you have mentally placed around the house for your audience.

Try it—it works.

To your success,

Bob Proctor