In my public speaking class the other week, most of my students were nervous for their first 2-minute speech to be given in class.
To ease their fear a bit, I told them this wonderful quote by Ralph Emerson that I truly believe in: “All great speakers were bad speakers at first.”
I emphasized to them that what is more important for me as their mentor is not how they did in their speech that day but how they would grow and improve as a speaker starting that day.
It might sound cliché, but great speakers are truly not born BUT MADE.
If you really want to be good at speaking in front of a group or a crowd, there is no other way (unfortunately) but to speak (and to speak again and again and again and again even if you failed the first time).
As pointed by Malcolm Gladwell in his book Outliers, a person needs to put 10,000 hours to achieve mastery of something. He discussed the study conducted by neurologist Daniel Levitin stating that “ten thousand hours of practice is required to achieve a level of mastery associated with being a world-class expert – in anything.”
“That’s a lot!,” you might say.
Think of it this way, just as athletes need to undergo training everyday to condition their body in preparation for a future competition, we also need to practice speaking everyday in preparation for a future important life event – that crucial job interview, that important business idea pitch to a potential investor or that critical response to questions from management/clients about your presentation.
However, my public speaking mentor also added that putting 10,000 hours to achieve a skill is not enough. You need to have a coach to guide you. You could be putting 10,000 hours to master a skill but it may not be the proper way of doing that skill.
Have you always wanted to become a good speaker? Then take that first step – take that opportunity to speak in front of a crowd even if it scares you.
Volunteer to present in your next meeting at the office.
Say yes now to that invitation of sharing your story in your support group at church.
Start raising your hand in class to voice out your opinions on topics being discussed.
Just start.
Or as the famous Nike slogan says, “Just do it.”
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If you need help with your public speaking skills, come join me in this workshop I will be giving on August 15, 2015: INSTA-SPEAK – SAY WHAT YOU NEED TO SAY IN 2 MINUTES.
Early bird fee of Php1,000.00 ends on August 4. By August 5, workshop fee would increase to Php 2,600.00.
Register now to avail of the early bird fee! Limited slots only.
I would be happy to see you in person!
TO REGISTER AND FOR MORE DETAILS, CLICK ON THIS LINK: http://manilaworkshops.com/events/insta-speak-say-what-you-need-to-say-in-2-minutes
To ease their fear a bit, I told them this wonderful quote by Ralph Emerson that I truly believe in: “All great speakers were bad speakers at first.”
I emphasized to them that what is more important for me as their mentor is not how they did in their speech that day but how they would grow and improve as a speaker starting that day.
It might sound cliché, but great speakers are truly not born BUT MADE.
If you really want to be good at speaking in front of a group or a crowd, there is no other way (unfortunately) but to speak (and to speak again and again and again and again even if you failed the first time).
As pointed by Malcolm Gladwell in his book Outliers, a person needs to put 10,000 hours to achieve mastery of something. He discussed the study conducted by neurologist Daniel Levitin stating that “ten thousand hours of practice is required to achieve a level of mastery associated with being a world-class expert – in anything.”
“That’s a lot!,” you might say.
Think of it this way, just as athletes need to undergo training everyday to condition their body in preparation for a future competition, we also need to practice speaking everyday in preparation for a future important life event – that crucial job interview, that important business idea pitch to a potential investor or that critical response to questions from management/clients about your presentation.
However, my public speaking mentor also added that putting 10,000 hours to achieve a skill is not enough. You need to have a coach to guide you. You could be putting 10,000 hours to master a skill but it may not be the proper way of doing that skill.
Have you always wanted to become a good speaker? Then take that first step – take that opportunity to speak in front of a crowd even if it scares you.
Volunteer to present in your next meeting at the office.
Say yes now to that invitation of sharing your story in your support group at church.
Start raising your hand in class to voice out your opinions on topics being discussed.
Just start.
Or as the famous Nike slogan says, “Just do it.”
------------------------
If you need help with your public speaking skills, come join me in this workshop I will be giving on August 15, 2015: INSTA-SPEAK – SAY WHAT YOU NEED TO SAY IN 2 MINUTES.
Early bird fee of Php1,000.00 ends on August 4. By August 5, workshop fee would increase to Php 2,600.00.
Register now to avail of the early bird fee! Limited slots only.
I would be happy to see you in person!
TO REGISTER AND FOR MORE DETAILS, CLICK ON THIS LINK: http://manilaworkshops.com/events/insta-speak-say-what-you-need-to-say-in-2-minutes