Public speaking is a valuable skill that can help you advance your career, communicate effectively, and influence others. But how do you set and achieve your public speaking goals, both short and long-term? In this article, we will share some tips and strategies to help you prioritize your public speaking goals and track your progress.
Before you can set your public speaking goals, you need to assess your current level of skill, confidence, and experience. You can do this by asking for feedback from others, recording yourself, or joining a public speaking club or course. Identify your strengths and weaknesses, as well as your interests and motivations. What do you enjoy about public speaking? What do you want to improve? What are the challenges and opportunities that you face?
Whenever I have the opportunity to speak in public, it's odd that I always ask why the organizers chose me. The answer to that question is often the key to a superb delivery. Understanding the demography of the attendees, the theme of the event and the colour I'm required to add to the event. The Goal for me was to be understood. For the attendees to leave the meeting better informed, encouraged, more curious and oftentimes excited that they listened to me speak. In my earlier speaking days, I would rather shoot myself than listen to a recording of a speech I made. But as I advanced and began to receive invitations to bigger platforms, it became imperative to listen to myself- this helped me to gain fuller control of every stage.
I too do not like listening to a recording of my speechs. What encourages my performance is hearing what the participants have to say, positive or negative either way I learn to get better. I am constantly reminded of what 'Mark Twain' said when asked about does he ever get nervous, he replied "There are two types of Speekers in the world, those that are nervous, and those that lie!"
Many people struggle with stage fright and public speaking anxiety, yet overcoming these obstacles can lead to significant personal and professional progress. By confronting my anxieties, I build resilience, enhance self-confidence, and unleash untapped potential, paving the path for amazing successes in both my personal and professional life. With each successful public speaking event, I go closer to becoming a powerful, influential, and confident communicator capable of leaving a lasting impression on my audience.
Next, you need to define your desired outcomes for your public speaking goals. What are the specific results that you want to achieve? How will you measure your success? For example, you might want to deliver a presentation at a conference, persuade a client to buy your product, or inspire your team to take action. Your desired outcomes should be SMART: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.
As a graduate of the Canadian Professional Sales Association that holds a CSP w/ Distinction (Certified Sales Professional) utilizing the S.M.A.R.T. approach to speeking whether to a large group or a individual is very important.
Once you have your desired outcomes, you need to break down your goals into smaller and manageable steps. Each step should have a clear action, a deadline, and a way to track your progress. For example, if your goal is to deliver a presentation at a conference, some steps might be: research your topic, write an outline, create slides, practice your speech, and get feedback. Breaking down your goals into steps will help you stay focused, motivated, and organized.
Not all public speaking goals are equally urgent and important. Some might have a fixed deadline or a high impact, while others might be more flexible or less critical. To prioritize your goals, you can use a matrix that divides them into four categories: urgent and important, important but not urgent, urgent but not important, and neither urgent nor important. Focus on the goals that are urgent and important first, then the ones that are important but not urgent. Delegate or eliminate the ones that are urgent but not important or neither urgent nor important.
Finally, you need to review and adjust your goals regularly to make sure that they are still relevant, realistic, and aligned with your vision. You can do this by reflecting on your achievements, challenges, and feedback. Celebrate your wins, learn from your mistakes, and seek support when needed. If your circumstances, expectations, or preferences change, you can modify or update your goals accordingly. Reviewing and adjusting your goals will help you stay on track, overcome obstacles, and adapt to changes.