Q. I’ve always avoided public speaking, since it fills me with dread. Having read your tips on public speaking and the exercise on shyness, can I say that I feel so stupid doing that exercise and I can’t see what difference it will make. How can I overcome this negativity?

A. It’s a strange fact but the human mind can’t distinguish between real and imaginary. As a consequence, in the exercise you refer to, we can use this to our advantage. All I would say is to persevere and it will work for you. A number of stage and film performers, demonstrate supreme confidence when ‘plying' their trade, while it’s often a well know fact that privately they are very shy people. They are taking on other personas. Using the techniques I teach, it really is possible to feel comfortable just being yourself when speaking in public