I suggest you try out this principle that is simple to apply and in my opinion, very effective.
This principle is based on a MIT research that confirmed the math - it formulates that if we improve 1% everyday, we will be twice as good in 70 days (~2 months). Pretty neat isn’t it! So how in the context of speaking can we improve 1% everyday?
By conducting daily debriefs!
People do not learn from experience. They learn from REFLECTING on their experience! As such, the failure to debrief leads to the failure to reach full potential. Sivasailam “Thiagi” Thiagarajan defines daily debrief as a systematic approach for reflecting on our experiences. It is very similar to evaluations that we do in Toastmasters, only at a much deeper level. Here’s one way you can do the daily debrief.
Sales Dog Debrief (by Blair Single)
Answer the following questions objectively. In other words, list only the facts, without any opinions.
What happen?
Why?
What work?
What did not work?
What did you learn?
What can you work on improving?
Here’s an example of a debrief I did for my last speech contest in May 2005.
What happen?
I lost the speech contest and came in second.
Why?
The champion had a speech that was much more audience-oriented than me. He pulled the heartstrings of the audience by sharing about his mum’s death and relating it back to the 911 catastrophe.
What work?
The audience loved the energy and humor in my speech. They were engaged from the start till the end, some of them were even edging out of their seats. Many gave the feedback that the speech was very inspirational and thought provoking.
What did not work?
The audience could not relate to my rappelling experience. Only two of them rappelled before. I dressed the least formal among all the contestants. The words I use were simple, compared to the champion who used much more visual and lyrical.
What did you learn?
Though stories are a great way to connect with your audience, you have to find one that everyone can relate to. Language and the use of words sometimes can make or break a speech.
What can you work on improving?
Two things. One, be extremely attuned to the audience. Find opportunities to test the stories and gather feedback on how well they relate to them. Two, work on rewriting my script. Make an effort to use more colorful and visual words.
Get what I mean? Instead of harping on the fact that I lost, I have actually gained valuable insights that will propel me forward in my next speech. I will encourage you to do the same and really, it doesn’t take that long. Come to think about it, you can even apply this daily debrief to other parts of your life say, career, family, school etc.
So if you are dying to be twice as good in 70 days, be sure to conduct daily debriefs!
This article is extracted from The FAQ Book on Public Speaking - a cheat sheet to make public speaking easy and painless. You can download the Leaked Chapter of The FAQ Book on Public Speaking here - absolutely free!
Tags: fear, presentation, public speaking, publicspeaking, speaker, speech, stage fright, the art of, toastmasters
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