What do you do if your public speaking goals seem out of reach?

I felt lost. I struggled too. I had challenge in preparing my speeches. I could deliver 2 minutes impromptu speeches. But preparing longer speeches was always tough. I missed good opportunities. My friend connected me to a mentor. Mentor helps us to assess reality and takes us from point A to point B. We all can get unstuck when we are coachable. Thank you nature. Thank you coaches. Happy learning. Happy public speaking journey.

Start with your mindset. Public speaking is not about YOU, it’s about your AUDIENCE. When assessing your public speaking goals, remember: it's not about becoming famous—it's about becoming useful. People don't come to hear *you*, they come to hear how you can make *their* lives better. When you shift your mindset to serve, rather than be seen, you're freed from the weight of ego. Possess a purpose that’s bigger than yourself, and success becomes a natural outcome.

When you evaluate your strengths and weaknesses, talk them through with someone whose judgement you trust. Sometimes the things that we think are terrible are things no one else notices. Or, they are things that actually make us unique and interesting! Ask yourself - is this just a me problem? Does it stop me communicating clearly and with impact? How hard will it be to change? Can I compensate for this weakness in other ways? Seeing ourselves through someone else's eyes gives us a different perspective, helps us shift our biases. Recording yourself can do this too, or, if you don't like looking/listening to yourself, public speaking apps can give you a technical perspective (pausing, pace, filler words) to inform what you can work on.

?? When Your Public Speaking Goals Seem Out of Reach ?? If your public speaking goals seem unreachable, don’t get discouraged. Here’s how to get back on track: 1. Break It Down: Think of your big goal as a series of smaller, manageable steps. Whether it’s mastering a short speech or focusing on one specific skill, each small win brings you closer to your bigger goal. ?? 2. Adjust Your Path: If your current approach isn’t working, don’t be afraid to pivot. Sometimes, trying a new method or strategy can unlock new strengths and opportunities. ?? Step by step, you’ll get there.

Small steps and small wins. In the Toastmasters system, for speech contests, we first start at club level. Then we progress to area, district and division. So we start in a small cozy and supportive environment and as we progress up, the audience is new to us and we have to work harder to deliver the same quality or better. I have shared that the journey in public speaking is not to become the Champion of International Speech Contest but more to check that are you a better speaker than you were 1 year, 5 years or 10 years ago? Have you improved? Getting better each day is progress.

I never think a GOAL is too big. Our brains are currently too small. Love the strategic planning of more local or smaller events for preparation for bigger, more major events. If the goal doesn't scare you, it's not big enough. And, start where you are. You got this!

Exactly!! There's a big picture which is the goal in its entirety. However it might be overwhelming when you attempt to go at it at one jump. Hence the need to break them, this,the first achievement will be a stepping stone to achieving the next. Just like creating a streak, you don't break it until its complete.

Public speaking is not only about how great I can impress my audiences but why I bother to prepare my talk for any occasion. It is helpful to know that I could find out more about the topic which I can learn from my research of the subject that I am about for the public speaking. Good speaker is more than frequent speaking or bigger audiences. In order to sustain the interests of the public audiences and the public speaker the content of the talk would have substance,eye contact with pleasant voices and applicabiliy for majority of listeners. They would acknowledge the speaker, they enjoy, learn and appreciate the talk. I believe this is the milestone that public speaking aims to attain. It makes a difference to our valuable audiences .

Public speaking can be scary, but breaking them down into smaller milestones makes them achievable! I would start with small crowds, like friends and family events, or volunteer to speak at local charities. Seek feedback, practice, and refine my skills. Then gradually work your way up to larger crowds.

When I was younger, I completely missed the point of practice, especially in sports. I just wanted to 'get it over with,' rather than 'get it to perfection.' Over time, I’ve realized that practice is where the magic really happens. It’s where we build confidence, face our biggest fears, and discover things about ourselves that we can’t learn any other way. It’s meant to be challenging—even grueling—because that’s how we build endurance. By the time we’ve put in the hard work, we’ve transformed into a different person. Great presenters aren’t born; they’re made during practice.

Practicing is critical but can be very awkward when it’s simulated. Try to take any opportunity you can get, however small or “beneath” your goals it may seem. Getting reps is the best way to improve.

I practice as if I am the very best speaker with a ton of potential. Those who are thoroughly prepared always exceed their expectations. Our mind will say you are not ready when in truth we ate usually more than ready. That is my personal experience.

For me, learning on the job was hands-down the best way to improve my presentation skills. Sure, the ample amounts of professional training I underwent helped give me better skills. However, there is genuinely no other way than to perfect your art through actually putting yourself out there and being prepared to make mistakes (which you learn from).

It’s true. Practicing a talk many times, and also taking opportunities to do smaller presentations will hone your public speaking skills.

Don't forget to seek feedback from your audience immediately after speaking. You can do this by using a text app to capture their responses. Ask your audience what resonated most and where you could improve. This valuable input will help refine your message and delivery for future talks.

When it comes to startup pitches, I always say that a pitch is a living organism and should evolve over time. Same goes for you as a public speaker. And getting feedback is one of the key elements for this evolution. I could imagine someone thinking - how am I now gonna go and ask for feedback while I'm on stage. Well, first of all, you can ask for feedback just to some few people that maybe come to ask you questions after or to technical staff, organisers. If you feel like it and it fits your speech, you can ask people to vote with thumbs or something at the end of the speech. You could even provide a QR code with a link to feedback form and promise some perk to those that do answer.

Seeking feedback is an important part of growth. The ability to receive constructive criticisms from people will help you evaluate yourself in knowing where to do more, what areas to focus on or where to relax

In addition to seeking constructive criticism, it's important to proactively create opportunities for feedback rather than waiting for it to come to you. For example, you might schedule follow-up discussions with peers or mentors after a presentation specifically to review areas like audience engagement or clarity of message. You can also utilize recording tools to review your own performance critically. Self-assessment combined with external feedback offers a comprehensive view of your strengths and areas for improvement. Embracing both forms of evaluation helps ensure a well-rounded approach to developing your public speaking skills, making you more adept at connecting with and impacting your audience.

Don't wait for your presentation or speech to look for feed back. Build this in your practice sessions. If no other means, tape your delivery on a recorder or cell phone, ask for help from friends and family, get a sounding board or other test audiences...

When you notice that your goals are not adding up to the entire goal, then there's the need to step back to the drawing board and restragetize. If you're in a wrong bus, the earlier you get off the better for you

There's no harm in pivoting or making an adjustment to your public speaking goals. For example, I had set a lofty goal of giving 20 talks in 2020. Cue global pandemic. I had to adjust and make those talks virtual. While it wasn't how I originally envisioned this goal, I still consider it a success and completed all 20 talks.

Adjusting your public speaking goals isn't just about adapting to obstacles; it's also an opportunity to realign your objectives with your evolving strengths and interests. Instead of viewing these adjustments as setbacks, see them as a chance to refine your focus and embrace new avenues for growth. Sometimes, pursuing a slightly different goal or shifting your approach can open doors to unexpected opportunities that better suit your unique abilities. This flexibility not only helps you stay motivated but also ensures that your efforts are directed towards achievable and fulfilling outcomes. Embracing change in your goals can lead to more meaningful and sustainable success in your public speaking journey.

Don't try to go with your head through walls. It will not work, and you might heart yourself. Being able to adjust at least part of your goals, without compromising what you stand for, can help you to be more effective. One of my major challenges has been to adjust in terms of scope and how deep you want/can go, within a given time frame, and considering your audiences availability in terms of time, interest in the subject and your person, and of as from when it will start drifting away...

Setting short, achievable goals can help build confidence and momentum in public speaking. It’s all about celebrating those small wins along the way. Maybe you want to improve your body language? Posture, your facial expressions etc.. Add one or two new things to every speech or presentation. If it can be videoed go back alone and review/critique yourself on how you did. Remember if it was easy anyone could do it!

I try to adapt my speaking style and topics in accordance with my listeners and potential audience. This helps me become more relatable to the audience and helps with my public speaking goals

While persistence is crucial, it's equally important to balance it with strategic adaptability. Consistent effort alone may not always yield the desired results if the approach isn't aligned with the evolving demands of public speaking. Rather than sticking rigidly to one method, regularly assess the effectiveness of your strategies and be prepared to pivot when necessary. This might involve experimenting with different speaking techniques, seeking diverse feedback, or adjusting your presentation style to better connect with your audience. Combining dedication with a willingness to innovate ensures that you're not just working hard but also working smart, increasing your chances of achieving even your most ambitious public speaking goals.

I call it the static. That feeling that everything is just out of reach and all sorts of stumbling blocks start showing up. That "static" is the universe telling you that you are close and those stumbling blocks are actually stepping stones for you to conquer and move closer to the goal you seek. It is the universe telling you to persist and adapt. Use your mindset to focus on your goal of public speaking. Put that vision of you on the stage or speaking at a big meeting and seeing everyone light up when you hit the target spot of your speech. Feel that energy of positivity flowing through you. revel in the moment. By putting yourself in the now, your mind feels like you actually done it. Because you have.