Dr. Wayne W. Dyer wrote a particular phrase in his 1976 book Your Erroneous Zones, like this: “Entertain yourself with a fantasy in which you allow yourself to have anything you want. No holds barred. You have enough money to do what you want. You’ll find that almost all your mental meanderings are attainable. You don’t want the moon or the unreachable, but you can achieve things if you can eliminate the fear of the unknown and go after them.”
In short? “Do it, even if you are afraid.”
In 2018 I resigned from a comfortable career and set a goal to publish two non-fiction books. Well, I published seven. Another goal was to speak professionally. When I joined Toastmasters in 2017, I vowed to become a skilled speaker. How? In the words of my high school basketball coach, “Just shoot. You can’t score if the ball is always in your hands.” My interpretation of his advice years later, when I desired to become a speaker? “Clam up and speak. You cannot improve if you don’t speak.”
We have something in common. We desire to share our knowledge with the world. And when you become a competent writer, speaker, and communicator, you own the “how” and competence you’ll need to share your knowledge and transform the world. The world hears your voice when you understand it’s for your audience. Endear yourself to the world. Leave them with an impression of increase.
Understanding yourself and your audience’s stories helps you develop a more refined perspective and glowing understanding of their motivations, values, and mindsets. Grasp every opportunity to elevate others. Our speaking begins here, long before we grace any stage.
Resonate.
Let’s become great speakers.
