IT'S ALL ME

Today I watched a YouTube video of my mentor, Jordan B Peterson speaking about how to be articulate. As someone whose ultimate goal in life has always been to be able to “dance with their tongue” and speak confidently in public, it felt almost like he was speaking directly to me. I have always struggled with public speaking, although recently I thought to break it down into small steps that felt less daunting to me, because I know that the most efficient way to scale a hurdle is by taking the first steps. Just like advised in the video, (I started sectioning the tasks involved prior to watching the video though) I attempted to start with forms of speaking that I normally avoid like talking in my class groups; it sounds funny but I often struggle with speaking around my peers which of course always breaks my heart because I always have ideas I want to share. So, I began engaging in group discussions, on a minor scale because it’s still scary for me but I believe with steady effort I could even be the one chaperoning group conversations in no time.

Earlier on in my life I felt really stressed whenever I struggled to speak in public so I thought that maybe I wasn’t meant to be a leader but merely a part of the group. I decided to stop attempting to speak in public confidently or otherwise and just learn, with time of course I realized that that was far from the truth and that I had too many thoughts to feel comfortable bottling them all up. So, I went on a journey to learn how to engage people respectfully and in a manner that will interest them. Here I am, many days into my journey and I can now speak confidently in my class group, unbothered by whether or not I get a response, or if people find me funny, or interesting. First you must speak, for your thoughts to get across. If you swallow those words you can never improve on your speech, your presentation, or your confidence. I feel WhatsApp has made taking the first step easier for all of us with the option to react to a message, you can let your presence be known without speaking and then slowly ease yourself into it. Start by saying the first word. It doesn’t have to make sense, it doesn’t have to be powerful, you don’t have to be funny, a hundred people don’t have to reply to your comment, the group chat can go silent immediately after but please say the first word and realize that your thoughts are Independent of the approval of others and you can learn to communicate with clarity, and engage those around you in stimulating, thought-provoking conversations. I do not know how I turned this into a motivational session but I believe you deserve to hear these words because they have been the rope ladder I have and continue to use to pull myself out of the fear of public speaking.

What are your struggles when it comes to public speaking? Share your thoughts and your questions in the comments section and I will try to share tips that will be of help to you.