For
most people, public speaking is a scary thing. What if we could reframe public speaking so it’s not quite so intimidating?
John and I have been working with a couple (Amazing Women International) who is helping us get better at public speaking. They always remind us that the whole world is a stage. It doesn’t matter if we’re on stage in front of a crowd of a couple hundred people, addressing a group of five businesspeople or chatting with someone while waiting in line at Starbucks. It’s all a form of public speaking, an opportunity to connect with people and share my message. It’s easy to forget, though, that each of those venues are equally important.
I was recently reminded of this fact. It happened when John busted me for having a lot of “um’s” in my presentation to our book study group on Tuesdaynight. (His feedback was offered in love and I received it as it was intended.) He said, “It makes it seem like you’re unsure of what you are saying, and I know that’s not the case.”
He was totally right. I’d forgotten our little book study group is a form of public speaking. My bad. I’d never allow myself to appear on a stage or in the front of a room and insert “um’s” all over the place. That’s just not OK.
In truth, speaking to that small group is just as important as any other speaking gig. Maybe it’s even more important because they already know, like and trust us. I need to give them my very best.
Maybe we won’t get so darned nervous about public speaking when we realize we are speaking to people all the time. If we are shooting for the same goal no matter the size of the audience, it’s all great practice. Let’s not waste any chance to connect with people and to share our message with them. That’s what public speaking is all about.
