Recommended books on confidence:

'Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway' by Susan Jeffers
Whatever your fears, this international bestseller will give you the insight and tools to vastly improve your ability to handle any situation. You will learn to live your life the way you want to live it - and move yourself from a place of pain, paralysis and depression to one of power, energy and love. 

'How to Say It for Women' by Phyllis Mindell (if you just read one of these books - make it this one!)
In the workplace, language is power. And too often, women sabotage their own success by using the wrong words or gestures  - and creating an impression of uncertainty. With action plans, specific tips, sound advice and success stories, 'How to Say It for Women' gives you the tools to:

- project a powerful image
- get your message accross
- earn the respect you deserve
- lead with authority, creativity, and empathy

'Transitions - Making sense of life's changes' by William Bridges
Transitions takes readers step-by-step through the three perilous stages of any transition (endings, the neutral zone and the new beginning), explaining how each stage can be understood and embraced. Offering an elegantly simple yet profoundly insightful roadmap for successfully navigating change and moving into a hopeful future.

'Status Anxiety' by Alain de Botton
Do you worry about how well you're doing? Are you envious of your friends' success? Are you suffering from status anxiety?
We all worry about what others think of us. We all long to succeed and fear failure. We all suffer - to a greater or lesser degree, usually privately and with embarrassment - from status anxiety.
For the first time, Alain de Botton gives a name to this universal condition and sets out to investigate both its origins and possible solutions. He looks at history, philosophy, economics, art and politics - and reveals the many ingenious ways that great minds have overcome their worries.

'Counselling for Toads' by Robert de Board
'Counselling for Toads' is a joy. Not just because it is an extremely clever Kenneth Grahame pastiche, but because it actually explains counselling as a method of dealing with psychological distress with admirable clarity. Claire Rayner

According to http://www.speech-topics-help.com/fear-of-public-speaking-statistics.html most people rather die instead of talking in front of a live audience!

If your fear of public speaking and presenting is holding you back in your career and your life then it’s time to take action now. According to Susan Jeffers (author of the book ‘Feel the Fear and do it anyway’) there are five truths about fear.

Truth 1

The fear will never go away as long as I continue to grow.

Truth 2

The only way to get rid of the fear of doing something is to go out and do it.

Truth 3

The only way to feel better about myself is to go out … and do it.

Truth 4

Not only am I going to experience fear whenever I’m on unfamiliar territory, but so is everyone else.

Truth 5

Pushing through fear is less frightening than living with the underlying fear that comes from a feeling of helplessness.

So there you have it. The best way to overcome your fears is to go out there and do it! And what better way to get out there and overcome your fear of public speaking and presenting than joining a group of like minded people and participate in one of our fun Ultimate Presentation Skills workshop coming up in 2009 and 2010.

Don’t let yourself be held back by fear any longer. It’s time to break loose of these chains. You owe it to yourself and your future.

Best regards,
Manuela