If you want to be a better public speaker, stop reading this blog post.
Go out there and speak…publicly.
I’m not against learning better practices, identifying key strategies, and gleaning from the wisdom of others. By all means, read, study, and learn.
Like most anything else – you learn by doing. If you want to become a better public speaker, you need to get out there and engage in the act of public speaking.
To learn to ride a bike, you must get on the bike.
To learn to play the piano, your fingers must strike the keys.
To learn to shoot a basketball, you must shoot the basketball at a hoop (a lot).
I run into quite a few people who determine they aren’t a very good public speaker based on their last attempt at public speaking. That may be very true. Your last speech may have been horrible. But getting better isn’t determined by your last attempt at public speaking – better is found in your next attempt. In fact, if your last speech was horrible, you’ve gained some valuable experience.
– you know the difference between a wonderful and horrible speech.
– you found out what didn’t work.
– you know what not to do next time.
– you know that giving a horrible speech didn’t kill you.
But the best lesson may be this: You can’t get better unless you try again.
By all means, read some books on becoming a better public speaker, listen to those who have mastered the art, and practice as much as you can to be sure you’re prepared…for the next time.
I have all kinds of tips, advice and strategies on this site for improving your communication skills. This post isn’t about that. My encouragement to you is simply this: If you want to be a better public speaker, then speak publicly.
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