How Do I Take The Fear Out Of Public Speaking? Post 5 of the “Speaking TODAY! on Tuesdays” series: Thoughts, tips and stories on successful speaking and outstanding presentations

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.
You're on your own.
And you know what you know.
You are the guy who'll decide where to go. Dr Seuss

You're on your own - "You are the guy who'll decide where to go":

A recent winner of a speech contest approached me the day after in a bit of a confused state. He was now preparing to represent his country at the World semi-finals.

He was concerned, because two previous world champions had given him two pieces of conflicting advice on how to make his winning speech even better. The thing about advice is it’s only one person’s opinion. My advice? Take it, evaluate it, mull it over and then decide – is this right for me? Does it sit well, here, in my heart?

Every one of us is on our own when it comes to telling the stories in our mind. The message we want delivered is usually the one that’s inside of us and no-one else can quite do it, just like you. Because no-one else has lived the life, had the experience or gained the knowledge, quite like you.

So when it comes to speaking, it is you, it is your stories, it is your feelings, thoughts and emotions that you are sharing with the world. And no-one else can ever really tell you how to be more like you than you.

Oh, we humans can give suggestions. We can tell you how we felt. We’ll tell you if you were right or wrong – even if it’s your opinion that you are delivering (like what is that, I’m wrong about what I actually think!?!?) We’ll even tell you if we liked what you had to say or not. Trust me we will!

And I’m comfortable in you doing that to me. I will listen, evaluate and decide whether it will work  or not based on the message I am delivering and what I know is right for me, what is in my heart – and then move on.

You are alone, but never quite. Your heart is always with you. Trust it and it will tell you what direction to take.

Know your message. Know your heart. Follow your destiny.

Inspire The World With Your Words

Colin
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