Garima Dighe's Key Ideas from Presence
by Amy Cuddy

Next time you’re faced with one of these tense moments, imagine approaching it with confidence and excitement instead of doubt and dread. Imagine feeling energized and at ease while you’re there, liberated from your fears about how others might be judging you. And imagine leaving it without regret, satisfied that you did your best, regardless of the measurable outcome.

When we’re feeling brave and confident, our vocal pitch and amplitude are significantly more varied, allowing us to sound expressive and relaxed. When we fearfully hold back— activating the sympathetic nervous system’s fight-or-flight response— our vocal cords and diaphragms constrict, strangling our genuine enthusiasm. If you’ve ever had to sing through stage fright, you’ll know this feeling: the muscles that produce sound seize, causing your voice to come out thin and tight— nothing like what you are imagining in your head.

Presence, as I mean it throughout these pages, is the state of being attuned to and able to comfortably express our true thoughts, feelings, values, and potential.

Presence is confidence without arrogance.— Rohan, Australia

Presence stems from believing and trusting your story— your feelings, beliefs, values, and abilities.

Presence isn’t about pretending to be competent; it’s about believing in and revealing the abilities you truly have. It’s about shedding whatever is blocking you from expressing who you are. It’s about tricking yourself into accepting that you are indeed capable.

Sometimes you have to get out of the way of yourself so you can be yourself.

Focus less on the impression you’re making on others and more on the impression you’re making on yourself.

Presence manifests as confidence without arrogance.

The Synchronous Self Presence is when all your senses agree on one thing at the same time.— Majid, United Arab Emirates