Have you ever heard someone give a speech and midway through realize that it was not their speech at all? It could be that someone plagiarized a speech or it just doesn’t sound like the person speaking. That person, and it might be you, has not found their voice.
Toastmasters and guests, finding your voice might be the most difficult pursuit you endeavor in live. Be it in text or in speech, you are going to find it difficult to truly be comfortable communicating with an audience until you find your voice. Now that doesn’t mean that you will not be a good communicator, it just means that you will not be 100% comfortable until you find a groove to fit into.
What is the secret to finding your voice?
Practice, practice, practice. Finding your voice takes getting up there in front of an audience and speaking as much as possible. It takes writing pages of speeches, stories, and journal entries a week. It takes a lot of work, but the results are tremendous.
I challenge each of you reading this to try something:
1. Find a way to speak in front of an audience at least once per week.
2. Write one speech or story a week
3. Keep a journal of your victories and stumbling blocks.
When doing this, try to talk for 10 minutes and write three pages a day. That might be 40 minutes out of your day, but in a few months you will see the difference. Then you will be on your way to finding your voice.
About the Author: My Toastmasters Blog is written and edited by Chris Elliott, a professional speaker and blogger. Chris serves as a leader for supply chain and international non-profit organizations. He enjoys using his knowledge and experiences during his speaking engagements, workshops, consulting projects, and one-on-one coaching sessions. The result—connecting people and empowering change. If you would like information on how you can bring Chris to speak to your next meeting, please download Chris' one sheet or contact him by clicking here.
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