The Best Speakers Don’t Work Harder than You . . .
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They Work Much, Much, Much Harder!
Have you read Malcomb Gladwell’s book , Outliers, The Story of Success? If not, I strongly suggest you buy and devour it! Hard work is not the only thing that can lead to success in life, but it is one of the things you can control and do something about.
Gladwell says it takes 10,000 hours of practice to become an expert.
The first person I thought about when I read that was Michael Phelps, the Olympic swimming champion, who won 14 Olympic gold medals. He truly can be considered the best of the best.
It didn’t come without an extraordinary amount of effort, dedication and personal sacrifice. 10,000 hours to become and expert. That is an amazing amount of time, and I’ve got to assume that Michael Phelps did that. When his friends were hanging out, socializing, and having fun – he was in the pool. When others his age were traveling, watching movies, or just relaxing with friends and family – he was in the pool. When other people his age were . . . – well, you’ve got the idea.
This post, and the Michael Phelps example, came to mind as we’re experiencing the 2010 winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada. None of the athletes in these games got to compete at this level on a whim and a prayer. They have worked, and worked, and worked some more at getting better in their chosen sport. They are the best of the best in their chosen field. Many have left friends, family and event their homeland to work with single-minded determination on their goal. Not all will receive medals for all their sacrifice, but they will all be better for the effort that is made.
It is the Process, not the event, that makes us better. The Journey, not the end, that makes us stronger; physically, mentally, and emotionally.
The same rules apply if you want to be a great speaker vs. just a speaker.
If you want to be a runner – Run.
If you want to be a swimmer – Swim.
If you want to be a speaker – Speak!
Speak as many times as you can and in as many different venues as you can find.
Record, by video and audio, your talks. Then, watch and listen to them.
Get feedback from your audiences and friends. Ask for three suggestions to improve your presentation.
Join Toastmasters. Let me repeat that one – Join Toastmasters!
Toastmasters gives members a nurturing environment to practice and get better at speaking.
About the Author:
Fred E. Miller coaches, speaks and writes about Public Speaking and Presentation Skills.
314-517-8772
Fred@NoSweatPublicSpeaking.com
http://www.nosweatpublicspeaking.com
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What an absolutely awesome post and the video about Practice, Practice, Practice — great stuff Fred!
My dad always said to me when I was a young athlete – if you want to be good at shooting Free Throws, go out and shoot 1000 free throws, if you want to be a better hitter, go to the cage and hit 1000 balls.
No question that Michael Phelps was in the pool when his friends were all out partying — or was he? — http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00025/phelps_516_0102_25518a.jpg
It’s like you say at your MeetUps, Russ, “This is Hard Work!”
However, what I learn from the process of researching and writing my blog is immeasurable!
Thanks for commenting on my post!
Thanks for this great advice. I agree, we’ve all been there, situations like going in front of the stage and making a speech to a faceless crowd! But what I just kept in my mind are these things:
Speaking in public is not inherently stressful.
Don’t fear the fear. Don’t fight it.
Don’t put pressure on yourself to succeed:
- It’s not about you.
- You don’t have to be perfect or brilliant to succeed.
- You are not the only one with this problem.
Be yourself.
Don’t over-prepare or prepare in too much detail, but do rehearse if possible.
Make sure you have a message to share. Focus on your audience and on the message itself during your presentation.
Don’t believe something bad will happen.
Don’t think your audience does not want you to succeed.
Get practice to see firsthand that all the points above are true.
Recently, I made an effort to put up a comprehensive diagram for this, please take a look!
http://www.spreadinghappiness.org/2010/01/analysis-of-public-speaking-anxiety-and-proposals/
Thanks, Nick
Nick:
Thanks for your comment and excellent advice.
If we think we can or think we can’t – we’re correct, Right?