Have you ever held a conversation with yourself? Come on now be serious.
It's had to happen at least once.
You remember that time when you talked yourself into sneaking some change out of your mother's purse? How about the time when you spent 3 hours prepping for that interview? What about the time you wanted to skip college, pick up a microphone, and travel across the world as a singer? Remember how long that conversation with yourself was? Wait...
You didn't think I knew about all that? Big brother is always watching.
I really don't know if you've stolen from your mom (shame on you), prepped yourself for a job interview, or had a burning desire to travel the world and sing.
However, I do know this.
From time to time people do talk to themselves.
That percentage of the time is incredibly small.
99% of the time our words are aimed at someone else.
It's that very special someone who does it the other way around.
With that said take a minute to think on this question.
Why does everybody treat public speaking like such a monster? We (and the people around us) are filling up the air with words all day.
Let's look at some examples of how we speak publicly in everyday life.
Parenting For arguments sake let's say that you are the parent of three sons (Bobby, Ricky, and Mike).
Bobby, Ricky, and Mike are all rambunctious little guys.
Every day they zip, dash, and sprint all around the house.
Every day they tear up something.
Every day they scratch the walls.
Every day they bounce around in the backseat of your car like energy balls.
Every.
Single.
Day.
One day you decide that you've had enough.
You're already tired because the little fellas kept you up late.
Your stomach is doing back flips because of the magic beans in your lunch burrito.
Your blood pressure is sky high because you've been stuck in bumper to bumper traffic for an hour.
On the trip home from school Bobby, Ricky, and Mike decide to wrestle in the back seat of your car..
You feel your body heating up with each and every squirm.
Out of nowhere little Bobby pops Mike in the face.
Mike cries.
Bobby laughs.
You lose it.
"I REALLY WISH YOU KIDS WOULD SIT DOWN AND BE QUIET!" you scream at the top of your lungs.
Your trio of upstanding young men sit still and be quiet.
You certainly didn't work yourself up and scream at yourself did you? If you have an audience I'd consider that public speaking.
Work Environment The work environment gives you a plethora of chances to stand up and express yourself.
In one day you have the potential for public speaking at: 1.
Breakfast 2.
Team Meetings 3.
1 on 1 Manager Meetings 4.
Customer Meetings 5.
Water Cooler Meetings 6.
Elevator Rides 7.
Project Reviews 8.
Interviews of Potential Candidates 9.
Team Building Events 10.
Lunch 11.
Project Proposals 12.
Breakout Sessions 13.
Training And everybody's favorite 14.
Secret Meetings about the people you hate! By now I'm sure you catch my drift on the work environment.
If you are talking at work you are talking to someone else.
Most of the time what you have to say is truly important and driving results (with the exception of the water cooler meeting).
Conclusion Wembley stadium is a very impressive structure.
It's the largest stadium in the world with every seat under cover.
It cost $1.
97 Billion to build.
It has 2,618 toilets, 25,000 tons of steel were used in its construction, the escalators stretch a quarter mile, and the place seats 90,000 people.
I can see how a person could be a tad intimidated to speak there.
90,000 people is a lot! Unfortunately, most people will never experience the thrill of addressing a crowd of 90,000.
Most people will experience the thrill of addressing a crowd of 8-20 people.
When the time comes to speak to that crowd of people treat it like you treat a regular conversation.
99% of your words are already aimed at somebody else.
The universe doesn't tip on its side if that person brings a few more people to the party.
The next time you take the plunge into a public speaking opportunity remember that you already have plenty of practice.
As long as you remember that you are solid gold.
P.
S.
Stop talking to yourself so much.
Big brother is still watching.