PRACTICE MAKES BETTER

Speaking at The Apostolic Grammar School, Modakeke, Osun State on Talent Discovery Before Career Choice

During the maiden edition of the 2021 YTOP Global Secondary School Outreach which held at The Apostolic Grammar School, Modakeke in Osun state, I had my first opportunity to share my public speaking journey with the students to drive home the fact that talent development is as important as talent discovery.

Here's how I started.

I was about 9 years old when I was selected to represent my class in a debate during the end of the year party and I was well prepared yet extremely scared.

When I got to the stage, I started like this...

"Good day Mr. Chairman, Panel of Judges... A... accurate..." And the tears came like a rushing mighty wind. I Iiterally disgraced my family members!

It was at that moment I made a decision never to stand in front of people because I was not fit for it. About years later, I was in SS2 and I had been successfully avoiding situations that will make me represent my class or speak before any audience until my school was invited for an interschool debate competition with two stages and one of the requirements was;

Two students are to represent each school and one of the students should be in SS2.

Before that time, my English teacher made himself my mentor and would invite me to his office during break time just to talk about anything especially politics and history. It was not something I liked because I was labeled the teacher's favourite and I didn't like the unnecessary attention. Yet, I would go to his office with my book and scribble everything he said.

Against my will, I was selected with another classmate who used to represent the school since she was in the junior class. I was not really scared because I expected her to be chosen and when my Principal expressly told the teacher that she should represent the school with another student in SS3, I boldly went to the competition venue to be a spectator.

Students enjoying the career talk

When we got there, my teacher said

"Adekola, go and write your name at the registration desk."

I initially feigned deafness before I dragged myself to the registration desk. My heart was no longer beating, I was paralyzed. The memory of my first failure came back to haunt me and as I wrote my name with trembling hands I knew I was not only going to disgrace my family members here but also disgrace my school.

As took my seat amongst the contestants from other public schools in the local government area, I looked at the students from schools that have always been on the top two positions and I said to myself;

"The first day you entered the principal's office, he boasted about the awards and rewards students have brought to the school over the years. Today, he chose the other girl and made it clear that she'll make the school proud. If you fail, Mr. Gbode will be in trouble for allowing a failure represent the school, you'll be disgraced as the idiot who represented the school and got nothing, and that will be your end in this school!..."

My teammate tapped me my upper arm, smiled at my clenched fingers and told me I'll be fine and he said something I will never forget.

"When I go there look at me, listen to me, when you go there, look everywhere else except their faces."

On the stage, my blood pressure increased, I was initially stuttering yet I finished without shedding a tear or looking at any face except my teacher's.

We got the third position which qualified us for the second round that was to hold the next day. This time around, I looked at their faces every once in a while and I didn't stutter and we came second!

It was the biggest win of my life, and I didn't bother looking at my Principal when he was wondering why I was chosen against his will.

Talking to a group of students who love writing, talking and music (language oriented skills)

Since that breakthrough, I've been building my confidence in public speaking, I went to other competitions after that and the first time I stood before my coursemates in 200level I was very scared, the next time I did, I didn't care a bit about what they thought. Now I stroll into my class with more confidence and energy.

Know this;

The first time is always the hardest, with the right motivation (internal and external) you might be able to pull through, the second will be better and time will make it brighter.

Regardless of what you are working on, these 4 things will help you;

1. Understand that fear exists only in your mind which means you can control it and the best way to hurt fear is to start.
2. Watch those who have been there first and learn one or two things before starting.
3. Be allergic to mediocrity and be open to learning.
4. Don't loose yourself as you seek to learn from others, you have your own voice and your unique capabilities.

Like I told my students yesterday, no talent is useless, you just need to give it time and intentionally develop yourself. Practice makes better!