Years ago I worked for a U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in the File Room. During one particular week all Administrative staff members were given a survey to help judge how we handled stress among other outcomes being explored. One of the situations on which we were to comment had to do with specific tasks. The question was, “Do you feel a sense of accomplishment after completing a job?”
Surprisingly, one of my co-workers responded that, no, he did not feel a sense of accomplishment. Instead he felt that more pressure was just around the corner, and the stress was only building. In his estimation, there was no sense of accomplishment because more work was coming his way.
Of course he was right to a certain extent. Being employed most often means having tasks which consume each day. His job was critical to the performance of the entire office, and he did it well, but was unable to enjoy his own daily successes. Thankfully the work was unending – we stayed employed! We had a segmented and orderly flow of work. Success in each phase, led directly to success in the next and following phases until we had reached the end of the work day.
Now let us segue to all of life’s endeavors. Each day we start with a fresh slate even in the presence of work left over from the day before. There must be work to accomplish each day, in fact for six days each week, or we are in danger of losing focus and our edge. That may seem crazy, but it is the prescription followed even by God! Work six days then rest on the seventh day. Even when work is less than fulfilling, it still has meaning, and it is imperative that we look for the little victories in each day.
Whether we own our business, or exchange hours for money in the employ of someone else, we must identify where the victories will be found, then pursue them. When we are successful in prosecuting our tasks with this mindset, we find each week to be loaded with obstacles overcome, victories to build upon, and a life that takes on greater importance.
Each day we must make it our goal to be better than we have been the day before, and to do more than we have done before. This is my mantra and daily goal. I find that building my speaking business is loaded with challenges which compel me to conquer in the areas of time management, marketing, prospecting, public relations, writing, speaking, editing, publishing, physical networking, social networking, studying, and rehearsing. There must also be time to excel in eating properly, exercising adequately, and getting enough rest.
It can be a grind. It is also exciting, and I would not trade this life for another. I see great things ahead, and each day I relish in the accomplishment of a job well done.
Fearlessly,
JD
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Sunday, March 25, 2012
When A Speech Writes Itself
As speakers, and those readers who desire to be, we are all aware of occasions when a speech seemingly writes itself. We are compelled to have pen in hand (or laptop in lap, for me) because a message we wish to deliver is bubbling up from within demanding to be given life.
To those of you who desire to be public speakers there is no coincidence at work here. It is a fact that as we open ourselves to the great responsibility to speak life, wisdom, and experience into the lives of our audiences, an equivalent volume of messages will come our way.
This very time of composition is precisely such an occasion. I am writing from courtside at a local Tennis Center. Surrounded by primarily by women playing doubles, I was drawn here to sit in the beautiful sunshine, feel the cool breeze of early Spring; and drawn here to write this note of encouragement to future speakers.
Your mission, and it should be viewed as thus, is to deliver the aforementioned words of life, wisdom and experience. Whenever you are blessed to present these great and encouraging words to your audience it is an affirmation that while listening, all may not hear.
Wisdom literature tells us that many times people have ears but do not hear. However there will always be at least one who will be transformed by what you have been given to say. Always. I learned this years ago when I wrote an evangelical column distributed via the internet.
I grew disenchanted that my subscriber list was not growing as quickly as I had anticipated. Within weeks of this rather selfish impulse I had a conversation with a young man who said, “Jerry sometimes the only church I get is the column you write.” BAM! One person. I realized that whether speaking or writing, those of us who are gifted, empowered, or otherwise given the responsibility to speak or compose are to do so as speaking or writing to one person.
This knowledge changes our preparation, and certainly our delivery. Our message becomes more personal, more immediate, and more satisfying to that one person in need of what we have to say.
Be encouraged seasoned speakers if you wonder if anyone is listening, and go forth those of you who desire to speak with this word of knowledge. In every audience there will be at least one hanging on your every word, and they are the reason we speak.
Fearlessly,
JD
To those of you who desire to be public speakers there is no coincidence at work here. It is a fact that as we open ourselves to the great responsibility to speak life, wisdom, and experience into the lives of our audiences, an equivalent volume of messages will come our way.
This very time of composition is precisely such an occasion. I am writing from courtside at a local Tennis Center. Surrounded by primarily by women playing doubles, I was drawn here to sit in the beautiful sunshine, feel the cool breeze of early Spring; and drawn here to write this note of encouragement to future speakers.
Your mission, and it should be viewed as thus, is to deliver the aforementioned words of life, wisdom and experience. Whenever you are blessed to present these great and encouraging words to your audience it is an affirmation that while listening, all may not hear.
Wisdom literature tells us that many times people have ears but do not hear. However there will always be at least one who will be transformed by what you have been given to say. Always. I learned this years ago when I wrote an evangelical column distributed via the internet.
I grew disenchanted that my subscriber list was not growing as quickly as I had anticipated. Within weeks of this rather selfish impulse I had a conversation with a young man who said, “Jerry sometimes the only church I get is the column you write.” BAM! One person. I realized that whether speaking or writing, those of us who are gifted, empowered, or otherwise given the responsibility to speak or compose are to do so as speaking or writing to one person.
This knowledge changes our preparation, and certainly our delivery. Our message becomes more personal, more immediate, and more satisfying to that one person in need of what we have to say.
Be encouraged seasoned speakers if you wonder if anyone is listening, and go forth those of you who desire to speak with this word of knowledge. In every audience there will be at least one hanging on your every word, and they are the reason we speak.
Fearlessly,
JD
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
No Fear Here!
At a time in U.S. history when the Depression had reeked havoc upon this great nation, Franklin Roosevelt, the President of the United States said, in his inaugural address, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." In the life of a professional speaker, a Soccer Mom taking the podium at a PTA meeting, a Little League Coach addressing parents before the first practice, a department head stepping to the Board Room lectern, or new member at a Toastmasters club, there is fear.
We can all glibly say that we are fearless, and that is in fact how I bill myself, The Fearless Speaker. My first blog is entitled the same. But when the time comes to deliver to an audience, no matter how seasoned or polished we may become, that fear will try to invade our peace.
For me the fear is small indeed, but the tiniest morsel of that dread emotion will yet try to unsettle the most established and credible orators. For those of you who believe yourselves to be more prone to the attack than most, rest assured we all face this nasty little demon. And you can likewise rest assured that you are able to defeat fear as easily as I do. It's all in your preparation.
The Two Keys to Speaking Success, as previously blogged, is your sure foundation. Confidence in yourself and your message, buoyed by solid practice sessions, will get you ready to present. The balance of preparation is divided between knowledge of the venue, an understanding of your audience, great knowledge of the material you will present, and time spent practicing. Did I mention how important practice is??
If the remarks I am to deliver are not rehearsed (practice, practice) so that I know them backwards and forwards, I leave room for the seeds of doubt and fear to creep in. If I have not taken the time to familiarize myself with the venue, its location, the acoustics (if possible), or to otherwise find out all I can about where I will speak, there's room for doubt and fear. It would seem ridiculous to speak to an audience with whom you are completely unfamiliar! Surprisingly, speakers take the stage every day with a canned speech expecting it to play well no matter the crowd. Oops! Know your audience.
You can limit the amount of stage fright you feel. You can control the level of fear. You can be, as far as anyone would ever know...fearless. Victory is found in your preparation.
Fearlessly,
JD
We can all glibly say that we are fearless, and that is in fact how I bill myself, The Fearless Speaker. My first blog is entitled the same. But when the time comes to deliver to an audience, no matter how seasoned or polished we may become, that fear will try to invade our peace.
For me the fear is small indeed, but the tiniest morsel of that dread emotion will yet try to unsettle the most established and credible orators. For those of you who believe yourselves to be more prone to the attack than most, rest assured we all face this nasty little demon. And you can likewise rest assured that you are able to defeat fear as easily as I do. It's all in your preparation.
The Two Keys to Speaking Success, as previously blogged, is your sure foundation. Confidence in yourself and your message, buoyed by solid practice sessions, will get you ready to present. The balance of preparation is divided between knowledge of the venue, an understanding of your audience, great knowledge of the material you will present, and time spent practicing. Did I mention how important practice is??
If the remarks I am to deliver are not rehearsed (practice, practice) so that I know them backwards and forwards, I leave room for the seeds of doubt and fear to creep in. If I have not taken the time to familiarize myself with the venue, its location, the acoustics (if possible), or to otherwise find out all I can about where I will speak, there's room for doubt and fear. It would seem ridiculous to speak to an audience with whom you are completely unfamiliar! Surprisingly, speakers take the stage every day with a canned speech expecting it to play well no matter the crowd. Oops! Know your audience.
You can limit the amount of stage fright you feel. You can control the level of fear. You can be, as far as anyone would ever know...fearless. Victory is found in your preparation.
Fearlessly,
JD
Thursday, March 15, 2012
The Two Keys to Speaking Success, Key Two
Key One of The Two Keys to Speaking Success is Confidence. You have to have confidence in yourself, confidence in your subject matter, confidence in your physical appearance, confidence in all the little details that make a speech successful. However, without Key Two - you are finished before you arrive at the venue!
A little background first. At the close of my junior year in college, I needed an easy A. Been there? I was solidly in my major and needed a break in the schedule. I decided to get that break, and the easy A by enrolling in Drama 101. I was thinking, "How hard can it be? I was in the theatre troop at my previous college before transferring."
The first assignment was a soliloquy from The Rainmaker (the movie starred Burt Lancaster and Katherine Hepburn, def worth a watch). Since I had seen the movie, and as you'll recall I had no shortage of confidence, I figured once again, "How hard can it be?" I found out.
A little more background will help set the scene: I was in a fraternity at the time, and was dressed like the stereotypical frat (broadcloth button down, khakis, and topsiders / you get the picture). On the other hand, and all of my Drama classmates were Drama Majors who loathed frat rats. Not much of a warm greeting on the first day of class.... (insert sound of crickets)
On the day of my long-anticipated performance I choked. Not just the, "Hey Honey, couldn't you have cleaned the bones out of the fish?" kind of choke. No, this was the Nuclear Choke. The professor had to hand-feed me my lines! It was the longest seven minutes in recorded history. To top off the humiliation, my classmates, the Drama Queens and Drama Kings, laughed at me...openly. Yes, I was made to feel their scorn!
I swore that embarrassment would never happen to me again. Ever! Key Two to Speaking Success is Practice.
For the rest of that semester, I was a fraternally pledged, rehearsing maniac! My confidence soared each class as I showed up just as prepared as my classmates, and delivered. In a two-person treatment written by H.P. Lovecraft, I actually did better than my Drama major partner as voted upon by my classmates, and their applause was oh so sweet!
Since then, I practice using the Performance Method (see The 'Jerry' Method post), and practice, and practice, and practice some more. I do not show up unprepared, ever.
When a speaker combines their own confidence (Key One) with sufficient practice (Key Two), speaking success is all but guaranteed. These two keys can overcome a surly crowd, technical glitches, props that don't work, and LCD projectors that don't project. I live by them, and hope you will as well.
Fearlessly,
JD
A little background first. At the close of my junior year in college, I needed an easy A. Been there? I was solidly in my major and needed a break in the schedule. I decided to get that break, and the easy A by enrolling in Drama 101. I was thinking, "How hard can it be? I was in the theatre troop at my previous college before transferring."
The first assignment was a soliloquy from The Rainmaker (the movie starred Burt Lancaster and Katherine Hepburn, def worth a watch). Since I had seen the movie, and as you'll recall I had no shortage of confidence, I figured once again, "How hard can it be?" I found out.
A little more background will help set the scene: I was in a fraternity at the time, and was dressed like the stereotypical frat (broadcloth button down, khakis, and topsiders / you get the picture). On the other hand, and all of my Drama classmates were Drama Majors who loathed frat rats. Not much of a warm greeting on the first day of class.... (insert sound of crickets)
On the day of my long-anticipated performance I choked. Not just the, "Hey Honey, couldn't you have cleaned the bones out of the fish?" kind of choke. No, this was the Nuclear Choke. The professor had to hand-feed me my lines! It was the longest seven minutes in recorded history. To top off the humiliation, my classmates, the Drama Queens and Drama Kings, laughed at me...openly. Yes, I was made to feel their scorn!
I swore that embarrassment would never happen to me again. Ever! Key Two to Speaking Success is Practice.
For the rest of that semester, I was a fraternally pledged, rehearsing maniac! My confidence soared each class as I showed up just as prepared as my classmates, and delivered. In a two-person treatment written by H.P. Lovecraft, I actually did better than my Drama major partner as voted upon by my classmates, and their applause was oh so sweet!
Since then, I practice using the Performance Method (see The 'Jerry' Method post), and practice, and practice, and practice some more. I do not show up unprepared, ever.
When a speaker combines their own confidence (Key One) with sufficient practice (Key Two), speaking success is all but guaranteed. These two keys can overcome a surly crowd, technical glitches, props that don't work, and LCD projectors that don't project. I live by them, and hope you will as well.
Fearlessly,
JD
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
The Two Keys to Speaking Success, Key One
My lifetime of speaking has provided invaluable insights, shortcuts, work-arounds, and band-aids. Don't get me wrong and think even for a second that I believe I have learned all there is to know. Far from it. Each time I speak, there is something to be gleaned, and stored for future use. With that in mind, you may yet take the following to the bank.
There are two keys to speaking success. Upon these two keys all successful speeches are built. Without these two keys, the greatest material, the friendliest crowd, a venue's amazing acoustics, or a sold-out show will not help you as you crash and burn in front of all God's children! Yikes!
The focus of today's blog is Key One in The Two Keys to Speaking Success. It is a key that works in concert with Key Two, as these two keys feed off one another. It can be developed, part of your DNA, or come to you rather organically over time, but it must be present for the good speech to become great.
Key One in The Two Keys to Speaking Success is Confidence. Without confidence most personal endeavors miss the mark of excellence. We all are subject to a greater exposure to failure when we operate without confidence. It is confidence that allows us to take the stage fearlessly. It is confidence that compels us to take a speaking gig with only two days to prepare. And it is confidence that puts our audiences at ease and allows them to trust us.
When teaching 'The Two Keys' I provide the background on where my own confidence came from. It originated from an outing at the lake with my folks when I was about six years old. On this particular weekend, my Mom and Dad had asked me to tell a joke. There were three or four families camping together that weekend, and most of the adults stopped what they were doing to hear the joke.
We all know the humor of a six-year old is not terribly sophisticated, but they laughed! Most likely they were just being polite, but hearing that laughter made me feel great. It gave me confidence. Quite obviously my parents had already laid the groundwork for this success in how I was being reared, but that is the moment I readily identify as the beginning of my confidence as a speaker.
From that point on, I had confidence that my voice was worth hearing. I performed in elementary school plays, volunteered to be on stage for high school fund raisers, was a DJ in college, and with two days to prepare preached a revival sermon in a church, city, and country where I'd never been before. Confidence: It is Key One in The Two Keys to Speaking Success.
Fearlessly,
JD
There are two keys to speaking success. Upon these two keys all successful speeches are built. Without these two keys, the greatest material, the friendliest crowd, a venue's amazing acoustics, or a sold-out show will not help you as you crash and burn in front of all God's children! Yikes!
The focus of today's blog is Key One in The Two Keys to Speaking Success. It is a key that works in concert with Key Two, as these two keys feed off one another. It can be developed, part of your DNA, or come to you rather organically over time, but it must be present for the good speech to become great.
Key One in The Two Keys to Speaking Success is Confidence. Without confidence most personal endeavors miss the mark of excellence. We all are subject to a greater exposure to failure when we operate without confidence. It is confidence that allows us to take the stage fearlessly. It is confidence that compels us to take a speaking gig with only two days to prepare. And it is confidence that puts our audiences at ease and allows them to trust us.
When teaching 'The Two Keys' I provide the background on where my own confidence came from. It originated from an outing at the lake with my folks when I was about six years old. On this particular weekend, my Mom and Dad had asked me to tell a joke. There were three or four families camping together that weekend, and most of the adults stopped what they were doing to hear the joke.
We all know the humor of a six-year old is not terribly sophisticated, but they laughed! Most likely they were just being polite, but hearing that laughter made me feel great. It gave me confidence. Quite obviously my parents had already laid the groundwork for this success in how I was being reared, but that is the moment I readily identify as the beginning of my confidence as a speaker.
From that point on, I had confidence that my voice was worth hearing. I performed in elementary school plays, volunteered to be on stage for high school fund raisers, was a DJ in college, and with two days to prepare preached a revival sermon in a church, city, and country where I'd never been before. Confidence: It is Key One in The Two Keys to Speaking Success.
Fearlessly,
JD
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Speakers! Never Discount the Miraculous
In no way do I ever discount the miraculous! As a Speaker, Evangelist, and Author, I am blessed to have many opportunities to meet a vast array of my fellow humans. They are tall and short, heavy and light, funny and serious, believe like I do and not, but they are all beautiful, and enrich this life’s experience.
In 2003, I was a delegate to the All Nations Conference of Ministers in Cape Town, South Africa. It was the first time I had crossed the Atlantic; the first time I had been on a plane for 20+ hours; and it would be the first time I would preach a sermon. I found out the day before departure that I would, in fact, be closing a revival service! What?!! All I could say to the news was, “Oh my. Wow. Are you sure? Okay. Well, praise God, He must have something in mind.” And He did.
At the time, I had been writing an internet column for almost three years. I printed eleven columns from the more than 150 I had written, packed them in my carry-on, and looked forward to writing a sermon during the 20 hour transit. I was given no information about the theme of the revival, the order of the service, or the congregation. If you have ever been asked to speak, and the person booking you says something like, “Oh we trust you! Whatever you want to share will be fine,” be gratified for their trust, then, whether or not you are a person of faith…start praying!
Sitting in the church the night of my arrival in Cape Town, I was enjoying the amazing experience of being in a different culture for worship! South African pop singer, Ricardo, was the Pastor’s guest, and doing some of his own songs when, quite suddenly, he decided to sing an old hymn. When he sang the first lyrics of ’How Great Thou Art’ tears streamed down my face. I looked down at the sheet on my lap, a column I had brought with me entitled, How Great Thou Art!
Eleven columns had been printed from more than 150. Of those eleven, I had selected ‘How Great Thou Art’ for the text of my remarks. And the theme of the revival, which I discovered upon entering the church, was Miracles in Motion! Two men (me and Ricardo), on two separate continents, six time zones and eight thousand miles apart, having never met (at least not until after the service), had one message on our lips, How Great Thou Art! Yes, God had a plan.
Speakers, you never know when your remarks are going to touch the lives of someone in your audience. Do your very best at all times to be prepared, and if it applies to you, be prayed up as well. We bear a wonderful and awesome responsibility to our audiences to bring them our very best, and in doing so, we will find that not only are they blessed, but we will be as well.
Fearlessly,
JD
In 2003, I was a delegate to the All Nations Conference of Ministers in Cape Town, South Africa. It was the first time I had crossed the Atlantic; the first time I had been on a plane for 20+ hours; and it would be the first time I would preach a sermon. I found out the day before departure that I would, in fact, be closing a revival service! What?!! All I could say to the news was, “Oh my. Wow. Are you sure? Okay. Well, praise God, He must have something in mind.” And He did.
At the time, I had been writing an internet column for almost three years. I printed eleven columns from the more than 150 I had written, packed them in my carry-on, and looked forward to writing a sermon during the 20 hour transit. I was given no information about the theme of the revival, the order of the service, or the congregation. If you have ever been asked to speak, and the person booking you says something like, “Oh we trust you! Whatever you want to share will be fine,” be gratified for their trust, then, whether or not you are a person of faith…start praying!
Sitting in the church the night of my arrival in Cape Town, I was enjoying the amazing experience of being in a different culture for worship! South African pop singer, Ricardo, was the Pastor’s guest, and doing some of his own songs when, quite suddenly, he decided to sing an old hymn. When he sang the first lyrics of ’How Great Thou Art’ tears streamed down my face. I looked down at the sheet on my lap, a column I had brought with me entitled, How Great Thou Art!
Eleven columns had been printed from more than 150. Of those eleven, I had selected ‘How Great Thou Art’ for the text of my remarks. And the theme of the revival, which I discovered upon entering the church, was Miracles in Motion! Two men (me and Ricardo), on two separate continents, six time zones and eight thousand miles apart, having never met (at least not until after the service), had one message on our lips, How Great Thou Art! Yes, God had a plan.
Speakers, you never know when your remarks are going to touch the lives of someone in your audience. Do your very best at all times to be prepared, and if it applies to you, be prayed up as well. We bear a wonderful and awesome responsibility to our audiences to bring them our very best, and in doing so, we will find that not only are they blessed, but we will be as well.
Fearlessly,
JD
The Performance Method - Cocktail Speeches
In The Performance Method, we conceive and perform the entire speech in our mind before we begin actual rehearsal. We rehearse multiple times before we ever commit a word to paper. This is my speech discipline, and I heartily recommend it. What I call ‘Cocktail Speeches’ are those sub-ten minute speeches which are somewhat personal in nature. The information disseminated tends to be derived from our life experience or from knowledge we already possess and need not research.
I have found the concept of writing a speech to be particularly bothersome in the realm of Cocktail Speeches. I say this because we are speaking from our own lives, and/or from our own personal interaction with the information we are to provide. So to say ‘we lived it’ is to accurately portray our relationship to the material. That being the case, I can see the need to jot down a note or two if recollection of a sequence of events is necessary, but let that be the last time you count on the paper to remind you of what you have lived (and learned).
The first time I gave a speech in Toastmasters (Ice Breaker, 4-6 min.) I stepped to the Lectern without notes and delivered it. One of my new, fellow Toastmasters marveled that I had spoken without the benefit of notes. My response was, I lived it; I know it. This was not an arrogant response but simply the truth borne out in The Performance Method. For a short speech which draws upon personal experience or knowledge, committing anything to paper for the purpose of memorization is to succumb to fear and laziness.
Give your brain a good workout! Push it to perform! Force it to remember key details; to forge links and transitions in your short speech; to commit to organization; and to supply you with information on demand, when you need it. It takes effort, requires discipline, and no small measure of fearlessness the first time you do it. But on the other side is a level of confidence in your own abilities that is worth far more than the paper you saved.
Fearlessly,
JD
I have found the concept of writing a speech to be particularly bothersome in the realm of Cocktail Speeches. I say this because we are speaking from our own lives, and/or from our own personal interaction with the information we are to provide. So to say ‘we lived it’ is to accurately portray our relationship to the material. That being the case, I can see the need to jot down a note or two if recollection of a sequence of events is necessary, but let that be the last time you count on the paper to remind you of what you have lived (and learned).
The first time I gave a speech in Toastmasters (Ice Breaker, 4-6 min.) I stepped to the Lectern without notes and delivered it. One of my new, fellow Toastmasters marveled that I had spoken without the benefit of notes. My response was, I lived it; I know it. This was not an arrogant response but simply the truth borne out in The Performance Method. For a short speech which draws upon personal experience or knowledge, committing anything to paper for the purpose of memorization is to succumb to fear and laziness.
Give your brain a good workout! Push it to perform! Force it to remember key details; to forge links and transitions in your short speech; to commit to organization; and to supply you with information on demand, when you need it. It takes effort, requires discipline, and no small measure of fearlessness the first time you do it. But on the other side is a level of confidence in your own abilities that is worth far more than the paper you saved.
Fearlessly,
JD
The 'Jerry' Method
The ‘Jerry’ method?? Okay, admittedly I need a new name for my speech preparation discipline. So while explaining the ’Jerry’ method I’ll be thinking of the new title. Agreed? Agreed.
Some years back I was asked to be a Guest Lecturer for a Bible School class at a local church. My message that night had been thoroughly researched and carefully written. I knew the information not just from my recent research in anticipation of its delivery, but from other studies of Scripture that had taken me to the same texts. I was aware of context, history, personalities, and a number of relevant cross references in advance of preparing my remarks.
With my lecture written, I was ready for the class – or so I thought. I felt unable to discuss the topic of the lecture apart from reading what I had written. What had happened?? I knew the subject matter; I knew the background information; I knew the personalities to be discussed, but why the need to read rather than having the freedom to properly teach?
At that time the aim of my lecture/speech preparation was the creation of a written product. I felt chained to the page. Today my research is just as detailed, but I no longer focus on producing a paper; instead my focus is on performance and delivery. Geared toward performance, I now visualize the entire event in my mind before composing a word.
By the time I begin rehearsal I will have set the stage for success in my mind, but not a word will yet be written. I research then rehearse what I have learned while continuing to conceive the lecture or speech in my mind. When finally the lecture or speech arrives on paper, I know it cold. My general knowledge of the subject matter now enhances the specifics of the remarks, and I am able to give the class or audience a memorable and interactive experience.
This was once the ‘Jerry’ Method. As promised a new, more definitive title for my speech prep discipline has been created. It is now The Performance Method. More on the practical application of The Performance Method to come….
Fearlessly,
JD
Some years back I was asked to be a Guest Lecturer for a Bible School class at a local church. My message that night had been thoroughly researched and carefully written. I knew the information not just from my recent research in anticipation of its delivery, but from other studies of Scripture that had taken me to the same texts. I was aware of context, history, personalities, and a number of relevant cross references in advance of preparing my remarks.
With my lecture written, I was ready for the class – or so I thought. I felt unable to discuss the topic of the lecture apart from reading what I had written. What had happened?? I knew the subject matter; I knew the background information; I knew the personalities to be discussed, but why the need to read rather than having the freedom to properly teach?
At that time the aim of my lecture/speech preparation was the creation of a written product. I felt chained to the page. Today my research is just as detailed, but I no longer focus on producing a paper; instead my focus is on performance and delivery. Geared toward performance, I now visualize the entire event in my mind before composing a word.
By the time I begin rehearsal I will have set the stage for success in my mind, but not a word will yet be written. I research then rehearse what I have learned while continuing to conceive the lecture or speech in my mind. When finally the lecture or speech arrives on paper, I know it cold. My general knowledge of the subject matter now enhances the specifics of the remarks, and I am able to give the class or audience a memorable and interactive experience.
This was once the ‘Jerry’ Method. As promised a new, more definitive title for my speech prep discipline has been created. It is now The Performance Method. More on the practical application of The Performance Method to come….
Fearlessly,
JD
Paprika and Parsley
I learned a valuable lesson a couple of years ago when I was launching my speaking business, and soaking up all that Toastmasters has to offer (which is considerable, btw!). For an Evaluation Workshop I was charged with delivering the well-organized speech of a speaking veteran. I conceived a masterpiece, if I do say so myself.
A week prior to delivering this three-minute wonder of words, I realized I was rehearsing so much that I had memorized the speech. Memorization can be a trap for even the most seasoned of speakers, professional or not. When we memorize a speech we open ourselves to forgetting a line, a word, a transition. In so doing we may draw a blank on the next line, word, or section of the speech. On the night of, I did the unthinkable, and forgot an entire minute of the three minutes speech!
However, at the conclusion of my remarks I was warmly congratulated on a well-delivered, and wonderfully organized speech. Truly it was the work of a seasoned, speaking veteran! I smiled, received the well wishes, and turned to the voice in my head where I heard, “But it was only two-thirds of the speech!!”
Have you ever prepared a dish for a family reunion or the random potluck dinner? Things happen as we know and you may not have the paprika for the deviled eggs, or the parsley to garnish your signature dish. You have to serve what you brought, and cannot go by the store. Guess what? NO ONE NOTICES!
Therein is the lesson…. Your audience, like the folks at the family reunion or potluck dinner, are not aware of all you have put into the recipe for your speech or presentation. If you deliver on the expectation of your audience, which for this speech was organization, you have done your job. Make note of your omission, goal yourself to learn from your experience, and next time check the pantry of your mind for paprika and parsley before taking the stage!
Fearlessly,
JD
A week prior to delivering this three-minute wonder of words, I realized I was rehearsing so much that I had memorized the speech. Memorization can be a trap for even the most seasoned of speakers, professional or not. When we memorize a speech we open ourselves to forgetting a line, a word, a transition. In so doing we may draw a blank on the next line, word, or section of the speech. On the night of, I did the unthinkable, and forgot an entire minute of the three minutes speech!
However, at the conclusion of my remarks I was warmly congratulated on a well-delivered, and wonderfully organized speech. Truly it was the work of a seasoned, speaking veteran! I smiled, received the well wishes, and turned to the voice in my head where I heard, “But it was only two-thirds of the speech!!”
Have you ever prepared a dish for a family reunion or the random potluck dinner? Things happen as we know and you may not have the paprika for the deviled eggs, or the parsley to garnish your signature dish. You have to serve what you brought, and cannot go by the store. Guess what? NO ONE NOTICES!
Therein is the lesson…. Your audience, like the folks at the family reunion or potluck dinner, are not aware of all you have put into the recipe for your speech or presentation. If you deliver on the expectation of your audience, which for this speech was organization, you have done your job. Make note of your omission, goal yourself to learn from your experience, and next time check the pantry of your mind for paprika and parsley before taking the stage!
Fearlessly,
JD
The Voice Inside
Last December I was blessed to encourage a combination of children, tweens, teens, and adults during one of my Fearless Speaker clinics. The primary message delivered that day was that our voice is important. As my audience learned that day the physical voice manifested through the interplay of diaphragm, vocal chords, lungs, and tongue is only the most obvious voice we possess.
Our inner voice, the one we define as the voice of our spirit, soul, or mind, is of singular importance. We may call it a still, small voice or a whisper of the mind, but let us never call it inconsequential, irrelevant, or unimportant. This is the voice of dreams, aspirations, and inspiration.
Most recently I followed this theme as a keynote in a business luncheon and encouraged the men and women in attendance to listen once again to that voice. It was just four years ago that I listened and set upon the life change I now celebrate every single day! My goal each day is to be better than I have been, and to do more than I have done.
Find that voice of your dreams. They can still come true. This is my testimony….
Fearlessly,
JD
Our inner voice, the one we define as the voice of our spirit, soul, or mind, is of singular importance. We may call it a still, small voice or a whisper of the mind, but let us never call it inconsequential, irrelevant, or unimportant. This is the voice of dreams, aspirations, and inspiration.
Most recently I followed this theme as a keynote in a business luncheon and encouraged the men and women in attendance to listen once again to that voice. It was just four years ago that I listened and set upon the life change I now celebrate every single day! My goal each day is to be better than I have been, and to do more than I have done.
Find that voice of your dreams. They can still come true. This is my testimony….
Fearlessly,
JD
The Fearless Speaker
In 2008 I was sitting in my Study at home when I asked the age old question, “Why am I here?” Have you ever wondered that very same thing? It seems to be a rhetorical question. After all haven’t we all contemplated our existence on this planet? Well I really wanted to know so I let the query run. By letting ‘the query run’ I mean that what I did not do was dismiss the question with a comment like, “Aw that’s crazy. Who can know such a thing?”
Ever been in a conversation when you and the person with whom you are speaking are trying to think of the name of a movie, an actor, a song, or whatever, and each of you are drawing a blank? I have been in that situation countless times. Invariably one of us says something to the affect, “I’ll probably think of it at two o’clock in the morning!” You both laugh and go on to another topic.
The computer between your ears, the human brain, continues to process that query, and sure enough a couple of days later you are enjoying lunch in a restaurant when the piece of information that had escaped you just pops into your mind! Then you call your friend, share the good news with them, and you both laugh again.
Well, I let the query ‘Why am I here’ continue to run. I did not dismiss it as an unanswerable question. Within days I began to get an unusual answer in the form of memories. Almost in chronological order memories of my having spoken to this group or that came back. It may have been as a child telling jokes to my parents’ friends, acting in a school play, performing on stage, or being a DJ at my college radio station, but there they all were.
It was a bit like the forest had been hidden by the trees. Of course I knew all about the dozens upon dozens of times I had spoken to an audience both informally and formally. I had simply regarded all those speaking opportunities as just the use of a gifting, but not as a life’s calling.
Having all of those ‘speaking’ memories arrive within days of the question, “Why am I here?” left me with no doubts I had received THE answer. I am here to speak. Okay, but what about? Here is where the answered question led to memories even more specific. My message would contain words of encouragement was the clear mandate and answer to the follow up.
Through the years I have been an encourager. I am naturally optimistic, and very often will approach people to whom I have never been introduced (you see, I have never met a stranger) to share a compliment, or otherwise say something positive.
With an answer to my simple but profound question in hand, I made the following decision: If I am on this planet to speak encouraging words to people then I will make doing so a life priority. Making it a life priority led me to determine that I would let nothing stand in the way of the simple objective to speak encouragement into the lives of as many people as possible. Therefore all doubts about my future path have been erased, and so too any fears about how to proceed.
I became The Fearless Speaker based upon this epiphany. Today, I assert to Event Planners, church leaders, speaker boards, and anyone else who hires or engages Speakers, that I will speak in any venue to any audience of any size at any time! I am The Fearless Speaker! My fearlessness is based upon the premise that my life’s message is one which men, women, and children need to hear.
We all need to be encouraged in who we are! This old world takes its toll on all of us. We get beat up daily by the cares of life, the drama of bills, bad jobs, poor relationships, and all the other nonsense that distracts from a peaceful life. Folks need to hear good news about themselves, and about their prospects for grabbing the brass ring of life.
How about you? Do you know why you are here on this rock we call Earth? If not then I strongly encourage you to find out the answer to this all-important question. Once you have made your discovery then be fearless in your determination to pursue your life’s purpose. It will enrich your life, and the lives of all those around you.
Fearlessly,
JD
Ever been in a conversation when you and the person with whom you are speaking are trying to think of the name of a movie, an actor, a song, or whatever, and each of you are drawing a blank? I have been in that situation countless times. Invariably one of us says something to the affect, “I’ll probably think of it at two o’clock in the morning!” You both laugh and go on to another topic.
The computer between your ears, the human brain, continues to process that query, and sure enough a couple of days later you are enjoying lunch in a restaurant when the piece of information that had escaped you just pops into your mind! Then you call your friend, share the good news with them, and you both laugh again.
Well, I let the query ‘Why am I here’ continue to run. I did not dismiss it as an unanswerable question. Within days I began to get an unusual answer in the form of memories. Almost in chronological order memories of my having spoken to this group or that came back. It may have been as a child telling jokes to my parents’ friends, acting in a school play, performing on stage, or being a DJ at my college radio station, but there they all were.
It was a bit like the forest had been hidden by the trees. Of course I knew all about the dozens upon dozens of times I had spoken to an audience both informally and formally. I had simply regarded all those speaking opportunities as just the use of a gifting, but not as a life’s calling.
Having all of those ‘speaking’ memories arrive within days of the question, “Why am I here?” left me with no doubts I had received THE answer. I am here to speak. Okay, but what about? Here is where the answered question led to memories even more specific. My message would contain words of encouragement was the clear mandate and answer to the follow up.
Through the years I have been an encourager. I am naturally optimistic, and very often will approach people to whom I have never been introduced (you see, I have never met a stranger) to share a compliment, or otherwise say something positive.
With an answer to my simple but profound question in hand, I made the following decision: If I am on this planet to speak encouraging words to people then I will make doing so a life priority. Making it a life priority led me to determine that I would let nothing stand in the way of the simple objective to speak encouragement into the lives of as many people as possible. Therefore all doubts about my future path have been erased, and so too any fears about how to proceed.
I became The Fearless Speaker based upon this epiphany. Today, I assert to Event Planners, church leaders, speaker boards, and anyone else who hires or engages Speakers, that I will speak in any venue to any audience of any size at any time! I am The Fearless Speaker! My fearlessness is based upon the premise that my life’s message is one which men, women, and children need to hear.
We all need to be encouraged in who we are! This old world takes its toll on all of us. We get beat up daily by the cares of life, the drama of bills, bad jobs, poor relationships, and all the other nonsense that distracts from a peaceful life. Folks need to hear good news about themselves, and about their prospects for grabbing the brass ring of life.
How about you? Do you know why you are here on this rock we call Earth? If not then I strongly encourage you to find out the answer to this all-important question. Once you have made your discovery then be fearless in your determination to pursue your life’s purpose. It will enrich your life, and the lives of all those around you.
Fearlessly,
JD
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