Over the past year, I’ve talked with countless people about who they claim to be, or who they believe themselves to be when it comes to public speaking. And the sentiments can be a bit overwhelming!
When it comes to self perception, I’m not sure I’ve ever encountered a topic where so many people are ready to diminish themselves to “terrible” or “horrible” or something equally-dismissive so quickly!
“Ugh I’m a terrible public speaker!”
“I’m a horrible public speaker”
“I hate public speaking!”
“I’m such a bad public speaker!”
When it comes to public speaking, who do you believe you are? Who do you claim that you are?
What comes to mind for you?
So this brings me to today’s word, reclamation: the process of claiming something back.
Reclamation.
Here in New England, we recently celebrated the first day of spring. I have been counting down EAGERLY for spring. To me, spring is a season that represents so many reminders of re-birth, renewal, blossoming, and the return of birds, leaves, flowers, sunshine, and green grass.
It is the season of reclamation; where we acknowledge that everything is *not* fixed in stone. Our identities, our stories, and our perceptions of who we are continually are transforming, evolving, returning, and renewing.
And so, in the spirit of spring, I ask you to consider the following:
When it comes to public speaking, who do you currently claim that you are? If your answer is one that diminishes, dismisses, belittles, and silences you, then today I want to welcome you to a season of reclamation. Because you are NOT a terrible speaker! Hidden amongst whatever stressful experiences or nervousness or stress you may carry with you, there is an important voice inside.
So in this season, perhaps see what it would feel like to try on some new identities when it comes to public speaking. They may sound something like this:
“I’ve always gotten nervous speaking in front of groups, but I love bringing people together for meaningful connection.”
Or “I don’t always love giving presentations, but I do find it important to share life-saving data so I try to stretch myself to do it anyway.”
Following on the theme of Freedom and Aliveness from last week’s post, I hope your new identity as a speaker is one that sparks far more freedom and aliveness than “horrible” or “terrible” ever could. Welcome to the season of reclamation!
A springtime identity-shift right here, right now!:
“Your Weekly Words” has transformed into “The Sounding Well”! Thank you to the many of you who participated in the recent poll on the new name! While the vision, mission and focus remains the same, I hope that the new name inspires a sense of personal depth, powerful communication, and a nourishment for your soul! In addition to the new name, “The Sounding Well” will produce new posts every TWO weeks instead of weekly. Thanks for coming along for the ride and see you in two weeks!
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