Chapter 19 4. Make good use of the body and improve the image

Introduction: The information conveyed by non-verbal information is more connotative than language itself. When Cohenden wrote his biography for Lincoln, he used these words to describe him: "Lincoln preferred to use his head for gestures, and he would shake his head a lot. This movement was especially noticeable when he wanted to emphasize a point. Sometimes, this movement would stop abruptly... as the speech progressed. As he goes on, his movements will become more and more random until they reach perfection. He has a sense of spontaneity and character all his own, which makes him noble. He despises vanity, ostentation, and affectation... Sometimes, out of joy, he will hold his hands up at about 50 degrees, palms up, and look like he's embracing that emotion. When he wants to show his disgust — like slavery — he'll raise his arms, clenched his fists, and wave it in the air , showing a strong sense of disgust. This is his most effective gesture and shows his strongest determination. It looks like he is going to tear these things off and burn them. He always stands very neatly, with his feet on the same level , will never step forward and backward, and will never lean on something. Throughout the speech, his posture and demeanor only slightly change. Walking around. He also sometimes grasps his collar with his left hand, thumb up, to make his arms easier, and gestures with his right hand only."

The information presented by Lincoln's body language is so rich that Saint-Goddess also sculpted a statue of Lincoln based on a gesture of Lincoln's speech, which stands in Lincoln Park.Of course, you don't have to imitate Lincoln's posture, but you do need to pay attention to your posture. You need to know that the information conveyed by non-verbal information is richer than the language itself.Your posture, including the information conveyed by your expressions, body posture and gestures, constitutes a kind of body language for you.This kind of information has rich meaning and persuasive effect, and becomes a display of your personality charm, and is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people as your unique image.

You need to perfect and enrich your posture, and you can do it from the following aspects. Facial expressions are extremely rich in meaning.It is often said that the eyes are the windows of the soul, then the face is the appearance of the soul, and all your emotions are written on your face—if you are not a person who is good at controlling emotions.Regardless, you can, and often will, convey a lot more with emoticons. There are joys, sorrows and joys in facial expressions, but for the speaker, generally the most important facial expression is a smile, which is the simplest and most effective way to shorten the distance between you and the other party.Of course, there are more expressions, it depends on what you say.

Before you speak, and while you are listening—especially when you are giving a speech—if you must sit facing the other person, you must pay attention to how you sit.Don't look around, that's very much like an animal looking for a place to lie down for the night, rather than being more interested in talking to the other person. While you're sitting down, don't play with your clothes or anything else, it's distracting, and it makes you look insecure and lacking in self-control.So, you have to stay still and control your body. When you're about to speak, whether you're standing or sitting, stick out your chest and look confident.Don't wait until you're facing the audience to do this, you need to do it every day.

Rosser Gurico said in the book "Highly Efficient Living" that nowadays, no one in 10 people can find a person who can keep himself in the best condition.It can be seen that many people have not yet realized the importance of body posture for speaking.He suggested that we should pay attention to the practice in this area, and "keep your neck tightly against the collar" when speaking. The hand is the most flexible part of the human body, and the expression of the hand—gesture makes the human body language have the richest connotation.Sign language is the earliest communication tool used by human beings in the long evolutionary process. Sign language is a silent language that uses changes in the movements of fingers, palms and arms to convey information.It is used in a wide range, convenient, flexible, and varied. It can not only assist spoken language, but sometimes even replace it.Because of this, some people call sign language the "second language" of human beings.

Gestures are the freest and most powerful form of body language, and for this reason, people are also often the easiest to make mistakes.I'm going to focus on sign language, mostly when you're standing and talking. So how should you make good use of your hands when speaking?When you start talking, it's best to forget about your hand, you don't have to worry about losing it.They hang naturally at the sides of the body, which is the best kind of posture.Of course, you'll remember to use them to make the proper gesture when needed. Most people probably hold a position where they either put their hands behind their backs, or in your pockets, or on a table, because doing so reduces your tension.At this time, you don't need to care about it.Many people do it, even a great president like Roosevelt sometimes does it, as if the gesture had a great allure.

In my teaching career, I used to teach my students how to adopt the posture according to what the textbook said.I just copied the theories that the teacher instilled in me, thus developing some bad habits.I will never forget my first speech class. The teacher asked me to hang my arms gently by my sides, palms facing back, all fingers curled in half, thumbs touching thighs.Then, I raise my arm and draw an arc to allow the wrist to turn gracefully.Next, I spread my index finger, then my middle finger, and finally my little finger.When I have completed this seemingly perfect set of movements, the arms have to return to the arc just now, and then put them on the sides of the body.

In fact, this rigid set of movements is of no use when I am speaking, but I use it to teach my students.Once, I saw 20 people doing such poses at the same time, and they all made movements mechanically like typewriters, which looked ridiculous.In fact, there has never been a standard set of gestures that is suitable for all speakers, except some experience.Each one is nurtured from within and according to their own thoughts and interests.The only gestures of value are the ones you learned naturally. Gestures are completely different from clothes, which can be put on and off, but gestures are from the heart, like a laugh, a stomachache, or seasickness.A person's gestures are his personal things.

When speaking, the politician Brian would often hold out a hand and spread the palm; Graystone would often slap the table or stomp the floor loudly; Swipe down hard.These orators had deep thoughts and strong convictions, and all made their gestures powerful and natural. Naturalness and vitality are the best expressions of action.We can't learn to walk -- the tall, clumsy Lincoln can't use the small, nimble Douglas' gestures, nor can we force ourselves into certain poses. Years ago, I had the privilege of hearing the preaching of Gypsy Smith—he converted thousands of people to Christ.The gestures he uses are natural, not at all artificial.As you practice applying these principles, you will find that you are making your gestures in this way.I cannot give you any law to follow, for it all depends on the temperament of the speaker, his enthusiasm and personality, his preparation, and the subject, object, and circumstances of the occasion.

That being the case, we just need to play as we please, only the impulses and desires in your heart are the most trustworthy, and the guidance from these things is the most important.But you still need to pay attention to the following points to better enhance your speaking power and shape your perfect image. (1) Don't repeat the same gesture too much, it will give you a boring impression; (2) Don't use the elbows to make short and jerky movements, the movements from the shoulders look much better; (3) The gesture should not end too quickly. Non-speaking languages ​​are more convincing:

(1) Your posture will affect the other party's judgment of you, so please try to use a positive posture. (2) The most natural posture is the most correct. Be careful not to use artificial postures or expressions. (3) A pleasant facial expression makes you appear honest and friendly.