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“How
to Develop Self-Confidence
In Speech and Manner” eBook Online Version
Dignified
Zealous
Persevering
Refined
Eager
Strenuous
Courteous
Prompt
Industrious
Sociable
Diligent
Untiring
Gracious
Expeditious
Tenacious
Just
Serious
Firm
Right
Ready
Prudent
Reasonable
Able
Careful
Trustworthy
Proficient
Alert
Honorable
Sagacious
Provident
Good
Sensible
Considerate
Assiduous
Judicious
Candid
Enterprising
Rational
Sincere
Skilful
Discerning
Frank
Resourceful
Astute
Scrupulous
Punctual
Thorough
Truthful
Competent
Deliberate
Positive
Qualified
Steady
Certain
Thriving
Constant
Independent
Lucky
WORD LIST NO. III
You should develop yourself daily to be:
Great
Elevated
Temperate
Supreme
Lofty
Moderate
Foremost
Princely
Pure
Paramount
Magnanimous
Modest
Matchless
Liberal
Faithful
Sovereign
Unselfish
Religious
Preeminent
Punctilious
Sensitive
Incomparable
Benevolent
Fastidious
Superlative
Sympathetic
Genteel
Peerless
Charitable
Polished
Transcendent
Merciful
Composed
Celebrated
Humane
Calm
Renowned
Kindly
Upright
Remarkable
Obliging
Observant
Famous
Forgiving
Loyal
Notable
Respectful
True
Conspicuous
Deserving
Obedient
Exalted
Impartial
Peaceful
Noble
Worthy
Harmonious
Aristocratic
Exemplary
Helpful
AFFIRMATIONS
You should read these words aloud daily:
I resolve to be self-confident!
I am eager for achievement!
I am grateful for life and opportunity!
I desire to be influential!
I long for power!
I am determined to progress!
I covet greatness!
I have absolute faith in myself!
I daily grow in courage!
I am ambitious for conquest!
I will positively succeed!
I have set my heart upon truth!
I aspire to lofty heights!
I am developing self-reliance!
I am pushing to the front!
I shall absolutely win!
Chapter XV
THE SPEAKING VOICE
There are still many persons who think of the speaking voice as an endowment of nature, and that all attempts to cultivate it are worthless and superfluous. The specious excuse is offered that conscious training leads to artificiality. The consequence is that, instead of hearing full-toned, melodious speaking voices, we are subjected on every side to instruments that are nasal, high-pitched, discordant, or otherwise disagreeable.
It is surprising that intelligent men should be satisfied to express their thoughts and feelings by means of an untrained and totally inadequate vehicle. A great violinist must have a Stradivarius, a pianist a Steinway, and even the ordinary workman demands the best tools for his particular trade. Why, then, should a man neglect to train his voice, the most wonderful instrument of all, and to make it responsive to his varied thought and emotion?
It is said that a well-modulated voice testifies to a strain of good blood in the speaker's ancestry. It is the most distinguishing mark of a refined and cultivated mind. The instant the tone of a man's voice is heard he is estimated, set down, and thereafter known by that first involuntary proclamation. The voice is one of the greatest revealers of a man's inmost nature. There you may observe his strength or weakness of character, the peculiarities of his temperament, the lack or possession of self-confidence, and the hundred-and-one disclosures of mind and heart.
The first thing for one to learn to do is to use the voice without strain. The throat should have free play, and all effort should be made at the abdominal muscles. The tone should be low rather than high, and soft rather than loud. Especially should a speaker learn to speak in tune. That is to say, he should know how to adapt his voice to the subject and the occasion. For ordinary conversation a moderate volume is most desirable, but in public speaking larger treatment is necessary.
The student of self-confidence should accustom himself to speak in slow, easy, deliberate tones. This will not only enable him to keep better control of his powers, but will make a more favorable impression upon others. A distinct enunciation has an important bearing upon the speaking voice, bringing out more completely its qualities of purity and resonance. The student should listen carefully to his own voice and check undesirable tendencies. The common faults of nasality, throatiness, and speaking through half-closed lips, are unconsciously acquired, and these and like faults of speech should be constantly guarded against.
A most excellent way to train the voice is to read aloud for a few minutes daily. It may be an extract from an English stylist, or part of a great poem. If a man feels sensitive about practicing before others, he may read aloud from his newspaper, in this way getting actual vocal practice while at the same time interesting those who may listen to him. Time spent in cultivating the voice will be amply repaid. One who is thoroughly in earnest will be able to find the time for practice. It is detrimental to a good speaking voice to talk when under nervous excitement. In our large cities it is often a contest between a person's voice and noise of the street to see which can best be heard. The noise in the street is usually victorious. This develops in a speaker sharpness and hardness of tone, and unnaturalness in the speaking style. Elapid speech and high pitch are wearing alike to speaker and hearer. The voice is an instrument of delicate and wonderful adjustment, and although it will sometimes stand abuse for a while, it will sooner or later rebel against ill treatment.
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