Perfectly Imperfect: The Key to Speaking Authentically
Have you ever noticed that you often feel predominantly tense right before delivering a speech? We twist ourselves into knots, trying to be picture-perfect.
But you know what? That very pursuit of flawlessness intensifies our jitters and trips our tongues.
Perfectionism? Yeah, it's like that glitch that messes with our ease and authenticity, the real stuff that makes talking to people work.
But guess what…
Perfection in public speaking doesn’t exist.
Why beat yourself up worrying that you won’t give a perfect speech? Why lose sleep over an upcoming presentation, fearing you won't execute it perfectly?
You know what, just drop it.
Instead of trying to be perfect, do this instead…
Here is a process for giving a perfectly imperfect speech:
Choose a Relevant Topic: Choose a topic you're passionate about and have some knowledge or experience with. This will make the process more enjoyable and authentic.
Define Your Purpose: Clarify the main goal of your speech. Are you trying to inform, persuade, entertain, or inspire? Having a clear purpose will guide your content.
Know Your Audience: Understand your audience's interests, knowledge level, and expectations. Tailor your content to resonate with them.
Outline Your Speech: Create a basic structure for your speech. Divide it into sections like introduction, main points, and conclusion. Bullet points are enough as long as you know your topic well.
Embrace Authenticity: It's okay to show your enthusiasm, nervousness, and personality. Audiences appreciate genuine speakers who connect with them on a human level.
Handle Mistakes Gracefully: Mistakes happen to everyone. Expect them. If you stumble over words or lose your train of thought, take a deep breath, smile, and continue. Audiences are forgiving.
Focus on the Message, Not Perfection: Remember that the goal is effective communication, not flawless delivery. Focus on conveying your message and connecting with your audience.