How Do You Take The Fear Out Of Public Speaking? Post 3 of the Speaking TODAY! on Tuesdays series

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

The wisdom in children’s books!

Of course, every speaker will tell you how they did it, how they put speeches together, how they control nerves, how they handle audiences etc..

Eh! I’m no different! These are the ways I handle speaking. Other speakers may use other tactics. The key for you of course, is to take what works from you from all of those sources. You will find that on my Facebook site there are other professional speakers who have their words of wisdom to share also.

Isn’t that a simply wonderful message by Dr Seuss?

So much of that message applies directly to public speaking and enjoying it.

You have brains in your head – And you know what you know: In your brain is a wealth of knowledge, stories and experience. What makes you unique in this world is that no-one else has ever, does ever, will ever have that same collection of knowledge, stories and experiences.

I am always amazed at the stories people tell – the breadth and depth of experiences in this world is just mind-blowing. Recently I listened to a speaker talk about breathing and it’s link to relationships.  On the same night I heard the story of a stockman moving cattle around the “long-paddock” of Australia and the lessons learnt during that experience.

I was touched by these two people sharing their experiences. And because they shared their stories with us their audience, my life has been touched and I emerged a different man.

We all have stories to tell, experiences we can share, knowledge that can help others.

Gaining confidence in speaking, for me, was leaning to put those stories into words and using them.

Even giving a technical presentation at a workplace can be enhanced by stories – how, why, when, who?

A training workshop can be full of facts – each with a story that supports it.

I was told very early in my career to never tell a story unless there is a point to it. True. But over time I came to realise something more important, never make a point unless there is a story to it.

“As the graph shows, we experienced a 15% growth in this sector last year” can be enhanced by a simple story. “As you can see, because of the bar-b-q’s and office visits that we took on as a special marketing and promotion effort, this year we had a 15% growth”.

The story doesn’t have to be long, just relevant. It enhances. It explains. The stories draw us in and, on occasion, make us believe that, maybe for just a moment, I can.

I believe that if you want to gain confidence as a speaker, yes, know your facts, but more importantly become comfortable sharing the stories, the knowledge, the experiences in your brain.

Inspire The World With Your Words

Colin

Do you like this article from Speaking TODAY! on Tuesdays: Thoughts, tips and stories on speaking and presentations? Feel free to share it with your friends also. Or, why not join us for other articles on my TODAY! Seminars’ Facebook pages on Leadership, SME Business, Good Health, Public Speaking, Networking and Living Life.  Alternatively you can see them on LinkedIn, Ecademy, Twitter or my BlogSpot page or at Google+. This article is copyright to TODAY! Seminars (2011) and cannot be reproduced in any form without written approval of TODAY! Seminars.