“What do I speak about?” is a question I hear time and time again.
Whether it’s a speaker competing in a contest, or one launching their career, they come to me for direction. How serious are you? If I gave you a ten-minute lesson to do, would you do it? Today? If you wouldn’t, there’s no reason to read on. Too often, people look outside for answers when they should be looking inside.
Why do you think people come to me with this question? Simple. I’ve done it. I am actively doing what they want to do. Doesn’t it make sense to ask someone who has done it?
So what should you talk about? Well, what have you done? People who are facing the same adversities you’ve faced want to know how you over came them. You are uniquely qualified to help people for two reasons… 1.) you have that unique experience, and 2.) you have a desire to be in front of an audience (which makes you very rare!)
We are not just speakers, we are experts who speak. Your experience is your expertise. Do you want more expertise? Get more experience!
A few weeks ago, I spoke at a Toastmasters Leadership Institute. In my session, I discussed the biggest problem experienced by speakers.
The problem? Speakers are waiting until the become ultimate experts BEFORE they start speaking. That’s crazy! That’s like wanting to learn how to ride a bicycle and reading every article ever written on how to ride a bike before you even get on one!
As I mentioned that day, my favorite quote on this subject is by Dan Kennedy:
“In the land of the blind,
the one-eyed man is king.”
To become an expert you have to start teaching what you know. Your experience matters. It’s your greatest asset. These are the four questions I asked the audience that day. If you are serious, take at least ten minutes to answer these:
1) What adversities have you overcome?
2) What is your business experience? (List EVERY job you’ve ever had.)
3) What are your serious hobbies?
4) What are your biggest accomplishments, besides your children?
What if you don’t have experience in the area you want to speak on? Well, interview people like I did and become a reporter. My first educational tool was Learn How the Pros Make ’em Laugh, in which I interviewed my comedy and humor mentors. Now that I feel qualified, I’m creating my own programs to teach presenters how to Get More Laughs.
You can be a “reporter” and gather the information or tools that can help people. You have more value if you speak from your own personal experience.
So, what have you done?
There is a short story about a sighted man in the land of the blind. It turned out that the sighted man was the handicapped person in the land of the blind. In the land of the blind, the people had adapted to their lack of sight, and it was not a handicap to them. Having vision was a handicap to their way of life. The sighted man ran away before the blind people could remove his ‘handicap’. The sighted person was definately NOT a king in the land of the blind. I will try and find the story and let you know who the author and publisher are.
Remarkable insight.
Tony
Hi Darren,
Great advice. Instead of just thinking about it I did the exercise. Very helpful, even if some of those early jobs are pretty foggy in my memory. CheersMark from Toronto.
This question can frustrate some of us speakers to no end. I feel like a nomad, trying to find a place to settle. But I keep reminding myself to keep working on speaking skills and something will eventually surface. The quote “Don’t worry about the mule being blind, just keep loading the wagon” is what I think about to keep me going.
Ooppsss…you did it again!!! Gave me that little nudge inside my own Knowingness!! Love when you do that!! I believe we did a similar exercise at the last humor boot camp..did’nt get it all the way then..this morning I got the final “katchung” (german phonics..lol)..did the exercise in bright green marker on a big page…”boom”..the answer is right on the page!!! Have I told you lately that I love you!! Stay RadinatlyU!!
Great article. I have been struggling with topics to speak on – you made it clear and concise.
Darren says to announce our accomplishments (other than children). Hello! My accomplishments ARE my children! I have three degrees. They are JC, JM and JD — Joshua Caleb, Joanna Mary & Jonathan David! They are the best aerospace engineer, office manager and CDL farm truck driver in the nation! They are what gave me the material to become an author and write my book, “Judge Deborah Speaks Out — Morality Really Does Matter In America!”