Overcoming self-consciousness in your communication

Feeling self-conscious when you are communicating with others can make it difficult to express yourself well and engage in meaningful conversations. Most of us will recognise that growing inward focus on what we are saying and the associated fear that we look stupid, or in some other way not worth listening to.

The following six strategies can help you overcome these feelings of self-consciousness in communication:

1.     Identify the source of your self-consciousness: what specifically makes you feel self-conscious during communication? Is it a fear of judgment or criticism? Do you feel insecure about your communication skills? Understanding the root cause can help you develop strategies to overcome it.

2.     Practice active listening: Active listening involves giving your full attention to the speaker, asking questions, and paraphrasing to ensure understanding. It can help you stay focused on the conversation and reduce self-consciousness. It is very hard (if even possible) to give your full attention to your listener(s) at the same time as focusing on your internal inner critic.

3.     Be present in the moment: Stay present in the conversation and avoid worrying about what you will say next or how you are being perceived. As above with #2, focusing on the conversation and the person you are speaking with takes your focus away from your inner critic.

4.     Use positive self-talk: Use positive affirmations to boost your confidence before and during communication. Remind yourself of your strengths and skills and focus on what you have to offer to the conversation.

5.     Take deep breaths: Taking deep breaths can help you relax and reduce feelings of self-consciousness. Take a few deep breaths before and during communication to calm your nerves.

6.     Practice, practice, practice: The more you practice communication, the more comfortable and confident you will become. Practice speaking in front of others or engaging in conversations with people you trust to build your confidence.

Remember that communication is a skill that can be improved with practice and effort. By implementing these strategies, you can overcome feelings of self-consciousness and become a more confident communicator.

If you would like to develop your communication effectiveness, get in touch to see how coaching can help you. e: enquiries@managingchange.org.uk