What It Takes To Be An Enlivened Speaker

Here are my two tips from my decade or so of working with the stage:

1. Walk into the judgement. 

Some people altogether avoid getting on stage because they don’t want to be judged. Which is silly if you think about it because, stage or no stage, that’s exactly what happens when you start speaking in any situation. If you’re afraid of public speaking you are probably struggling with communication in other parts of your life too. 

Judgement is always there and we can’t control it. It is a fact of life. It is part of the human experience. 

So, the sooner you can walk into the judgement that happens on stage, i.e accept it and allow it to happen, the quicker you’ll burn through the fear of it. 

2. Recognize that you don’t know where you will be in 5-10 years from now. 

The stuff you are afraid of being judged on is just your fear keeping you stuck. It is your mind creating stories to protect you from discomfort and rejection. 

In 5-10 years time these fears will all be distant memories you will giggle about. Your “judgment fears” are all impermanent and made up. You don't even know if people are judging you on the things you think you will be judged on. Let that thought sink in...

The real victory isn't even in breaking through the “current” thing you're afraid of being judged on. That THING is simply here to support you in the present moment. 

Recognise the fear and revert to tip number 1 above. 

I remember at one gathering I felt shy to do an improvised poetry piece because there were other amazing poets in the space and I would be judged as an amateur.  I did it anyway and my channel opened up a little more. 

The second time I did another improvised piece IT JUST FLOWED through me with ease. I had busted through the fear of being seen as an amateur and each time after that it became easier until I became quite good (if I may say so myself). 

BUT, if I had let the initial judgement stop me from opening up, I never would have reached the real gold.

+ is all fun too.

Feel the fear and do it anyway. That’s what it comes down to. 

Feel the fear. See the fear. Acknowledge the fear. Make friends with fear. Appreciate the fear. 

But I realise that feeling the fear when you’re on stage doesn’t seem like an option. When you’re standing there with eyes on you, nowhere in your mind will you be thinking: “Oh yes, Miroslav says I need to feel the fear”. 

When you are on stage you are probably thinking: “Oh crap, everyone is looking at me and I don't remember what I’m supposed to say!”

Seems like a catch 22 right. So how do good speakers become so comfortable on stage? I promise you they weren't all born that way. 

To feel fear on stage you need to be living and breathing your fear in everyday life. You can do this by constantly observing where your edge is.

What's vulnerable for you? Truly vulnerable?

Sometimes that means being loud in public and other times it's being in the quietness of feeling alone. It could be raising your hand to ask a question in front of a group or telling someone an intimate story that you don't share with many people. 

That's the beauty of the edge of vulnerability. It is different for each of us but the brave ones who live on that edge are breathing their fear and that is what creates an enlivened speaker.

If you are interested in dissolving some of your fears and becoming more comfortable as a speaker, I have a short course called Metafear that helps you do just that. Check it out here or book a personal 20min call with the team to find out more. 

Much Love,

Miroslav

Subscribe to our youtube channel

Related Posts:

It Is Essential To Feed Our Inspiration Daily.

Lean Into The Moment 

What It Takes To Be An Enlivened Speaker