Do you want to know the real secret to success in public speaking?

If you thought it was talent, writing, or good marketing…you are wrong. The real secret to public speaking success is something that the majority of struggling speakers are unable to admit to themselves, because if they did, guess what…they wouldn’t be struggling anymore.

An amazing thing about this secret is that it is applicable to all areas of your life. Whether you are trying to succeed in speaking, comedy, or weightlifting this secret has an effect. So if you haven’t gotten paid to speak, haven’t won the contests you are competing in, or can’t lift a 2 pound dumbbell, it is probably due to not applying this secret that is missing from so many of our lives.

So what is this secret?

Self-discipline:
I define self-discipline as the ability to do the things that you have to do that you don’t really want to do.

For someone on a diet, this means exercising rather than watching TV and eating ice cream. For writers, this means writing the next chapter of the book instead of reading something written by someone else. Then comes speakers…what does self-discipline have to do with us?

For speakers, self-discipline means you have to spend the time working on the activities that make you a better speaker.

These activities can include:

  1. Videotaping practice sessions and then actually reviewing them.
  2. Speaking as many times a week as possible and getting feedback from your audience
  3. Collecting and refining new material for your speeches
  4. Practice, practice, practice

Being a good speaker is akin to being an athlete. You might start off slow and uncoordinated, but with the right practice, coaching, and self-discipline, you begin to become stronger, faster, and a better competitor. There is no difference in speaking. It takes constant practice to grow your speaker muscles and develop you strengths on the platform.

So to apply this secret, get off your butt and start practicing, refining, and practicing some more…right now!


About the Author: My Toastmasters Blog is written and edited by Chris Elliott, the founder of the young professional coaching site Young Profit Pros. Chris 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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