[One Thousand Characters a Day] Han Seok-jun's Speaking Class＜1＞

Editor's Note"Gaining confidence in speaking changes your life!" Han Seok-jun, a speech coach who has thrilled thousands of students and a veteran announcer with 24 years of experience, has published ＜Han Seok-jun's Speaking Class＞ for the general public who want to improve their speaking skills in everyday life. It contains speaking know-how that can be immediately applied in various situations such as important interviews, when you need to showcase your achievements at work, when you need to push forward tasks while sharing opinions with colleagues, or when introducing yourself to someone you meet for the first time. We introduce some of the 34 training methods that announcer Han has mastered through years of broadcasting and coaching experience, which can improve speaking skills in a short period, to the readers of Asia Economy’s ＜Harumanbo Harucheonja＞ newsletter. Word count: 1028.

Recently, I have been running a ‘Speech Salon.’ It is a program designed to provide a stage for people who lack confidence in speaking to practice speeches. In the Speech Salon, participants read a book and present their impressions in a ‘3-minute speech.’ Since they have to speak in front of strangers, they feel very nervous, but because everyone gathered to improve their speaking skills, they participate earnestly and support each other despite their awkwardness.

One day, I had a conversation with the participants about ‘how to build confidence when speaking in front of others.’ One participant’s opinion was particularly impressive.

“When I have to give a presentation or face an important meeting and feel very nervous, I try to find small compliments to give myself. Even when I feel overwhelmed by the pressure to do well and become discouraged, repeating words of praise to myself gives me strength.”

How many people would think that phrases like ‘You ate well. Good job,’ ‘You slept well. Good job,’ or ‘You took a shower. Good job’ count as compliments? But these are compliments too. Moreover, when such small self-praises are repeated, the power to believe in oneself, that is, ‘self-confidence,’ firmly takes root. What is more important than this is that compliments are counted not by their intensity but by their frequency.

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In a harsh world where there is little to be praised for, if I don’t compliment myself, where else can I get strength? Others are important, but the most important person is myself. So try to cultivate the habit of complimenting yourself first. Praise yourself by saying things like ‘You woke up on time today too. Great!’ or ‘Even though you’re tired, you didn’t skip your workout. You’ll be healthy soon!’

If you lack confidence in speaking in front of others, you should especially make an effort to compliment yourself. The stricter you are with yourself, the harder it feels to express yourself in front of others. The foundation of speaking is confidence, and that confidence depends on how you treat yourself daily. This is the real reason why self-compliments are important. Remember that compliments are remembered only by their frequency, and try to compliment yourself often.

- Han Seok-jun, ＜Han Seok-jun's Speaking Class＞, Influential, 16,800 KRW

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.