Celebrate!

Welcome to Your Weekly Words with Julie Avis Rogers, where public speaking meets personal flourishing. In these posts (the video and the written transcript below), I’ll share one word to enhance your effectiveness as a public speaker while also giving a boost for your soul! This week’s word is *celebrate* so let’s dive in!

Today’s post marks the TWENTIETH edition of “Your Weekly Words”! I’m so grateful for the comments, questions, and time that you share with me as part of this series. Now let’s take a moment to CELEBRATE.

Ever since I decided that this week’s word would be “Celebrate” I have NOT been able to stop singing this song: Celebration by Kool & The Gang.

So if today’s post does nothing except add some skip to your step and sing a little bit about celebrating then I will still consider this one a success! BUT if you’ll engage me for a few minutes longer, let’s figure out how today’s word, *celebrate*, might just be the most fun ingredient in your recipe for public speaking success. So here we go:

Last week, I had the opportunity to speak to a large group that I had never met before. And, as is always the case, there were some things that went beautifully and totally well– and there were some things that felt awkward and I wish had gone differently. And I don’t know about you, but my tendency has often been to immediately begin my process of RUMINATING on all the things I wish I had done differently. “Ugh why did I say that!? Ugh why did I NOT say that?! Ugh!!”

Yes, I have really honed in on my ability to spot my regrets and let my mind just blow them way out of proportion. It is pretty clear to me that this pattern only exacerbates any feelings of inadequacy that I might have about speaking to groups and it only enforces a message that speaking is a hugely stressful thing to do– and for me, a celebration intervention has been a powerful yet simple step to take.

So last week, as I began my drive home and my mind started spinning around about all the awkward things, all the regrets, I stopped and asked myself the question “What are 3 things that went well?”

What are 3 things that went well?

In this example, 1) I was proud of how I navigated a microphone that wasn’t working. 2) I was proud of how I laid out my clothes the night before so that I didn’t have to worry about that in the morning. And 3) I was pleased that I turned down that 3rd cup of coffee and drank water instead.

The celebrations I had weren’t really anything too extraordinary and it would have been SO easy for me to have never even noticed them–but this one simple question, this “celebration intervention” not only really boosted my mood but also gave me some invaluable insights into the small decisions that I made that really made a difference.

By taking time for a celebration intervention, by taking time to ask ourselves the simple question “What are 3 things that went well?,” we are giving ourselves the gift of JOY and of celebration AND we are taking note of some of the unique actions and decisions that already contribute to more easeful, joyful and authentic speaking engagements moving forward.

A celebration intervention. Let it interrupt your ruminations and reflect back some of your brilliance.

“It’s a celebration!”

Ready for more? Click here to book a free exploratory session with me where we can discuss your questions or concerns about public speaking and if I might be able to support you on your speaking journey. Visit my website to learn more about how to become a more confident, authentic public speaker while boosting your personal flourishing along the way!