Since I got such tremendous response from my recent article on gaining confidence, I thought you might like to read about another great tool that works very effectively in getting into a relaxed and composed state, during what would normally be a very stressful situation.

A colleague Brian Moore introduced me to the concept of “Peripheral Vision” recently, while attending a training course, which included a module on presentation skills. Peripheral vision is a technique that helps you to stay composed and relaxed in stressful and nervous situations, such as when giving a presentation or speaking in public.

Peripheral vision, when thought to children has also been shown to increase the capability to learn, retain and recall information in a classroom and exam environment.

There are 5 basic steps to get yourself into peripheral vision and the great value of this technique is, it can be used anywhere at any time when you want to get relaxed and composed such as when you are about to stand up in front of an audience to give a presentation or speech, effectively handle a volatile meeting or dealing with a screaming or demanding child at home.

Step 1: Stand tall, with your feet shoulder width apart in a relaxed stance. Look at the wall a little distance away and focus your sight on a point on the wall a little above eye level.

Step 2. Slowly bring your awareness to the left and right corners of the room in front of you while still maintaining your focus on your original focal point.

Step 3. Now broader your awareness even more so that you can see everything around you, from your immediate left all around the front and through to your immediate right, while still maintaining your focus on the mark on the wall in front of you.

Step4: Now, imagine you have eyes in the back of your head and you can see behind you and create the awareness that you can see a full 360 degrees around yourself and as such you become part of the room. While doing this, make sure to stay focused on your original focal point.

Step 5: Test how relaxed and calm you are. Notice your breathing; has it become slower or deeper? Notice your facial muscles, shoulders and legs. Are they more relaxed? If you were thinking lots of negative thoughts before going into peripheral vision, are you still thinking the same number with the same intensity now? Probably not.

According to Andy Smith – NLP Trainer “When you go into peripheral vision you seem to activate the parasympathetic nervous system; the part of your nervous system that calms you down, and slows you down, and lets your mind, and body and emotions come back into balance”.

While maintaining peripheral vision try and get stressed, uptight or angry. You can’t. Your brain won’t allow you as you are in a natural relaxed state provided you stay in peripheral vision.

With practise you will find that you can put yourself into peripheral vision without focusing on a point on the wall. So, the next time you find yourself getting anxious or worked up, go into peripheral vision and notice how relaxed and calm you become.

If you accept my challenge and try this out, please drop me a line and let me know how you get on. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Fergal O’Connor is a Business and Personal Life Coach working in partnership with his Business and Private clients providing a supportive, confidential, challenging and non-judgemental environment to make their ambitions and dreams a reality. Fergal also facilitates a range of Management training programs, Team facilitation workshops and is available for public speaking engagements. Fergal can be contacted at Synergy Coaching Services, Tel: (061) 467287, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it web: www.synergycoachingservices.net

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