How I View Speaking (Before and After)
Speaking & Leadership
I came into this class thinking that I needed a course less focused on leadership, and more on "just speaking". I couldn't have been more wrong. One of the reasons I struggled with speeches in the past is that I used to think of "speech" and "leadership" as completely different entities. What I realized during the two weeks at Speech E-110 was that a speaker must be a leader in order to be effective and powerful. When I approach a speech with a leadership mindset - knowing that I can change minds and hearts, believing in myself and in my message, being comfortable enough to take risks without the fear of failure - I can feel myself being more powerful and confident. I feel myself being less nervous and more energized.
Envisioning
Before: I had adopted the mindset that public speaking just "wasn't for me". I wanted to go from rock-bottom speaking skills to mediocre speaking-skills. I had just wanted to be proficient at speaking. Now, excellency is in my vision. I know that this two-week course is only the beginning of my speaking journey, but the ridiculous amount of progress I have made in such a short time makes me confident that I have the ability to become a great speaker. This, until now, was something that I didn't think was possible. Public speaking is just like anything else - an art. It is something that must be practiced. And fantastic public speaking skills are attainable for anyone who works hard to achieve them. Having "excellency" in my spectrum of possibility is a beautiful thing, for which I owe you huge thanks.
I came into this class thinking that I needed a course less focused on leadership, and more on "just speaking". I couldn't have been more wrong. One of the reasons I struggled with speeches in the past is that I used to think of "speech" and "leadership" as completely different entities. What I realized during the two weeks at Speech E-110 was that a speaker must be a leader in order to be effective and powerful. When I approach a speech with a leadership mindset - knowing that I can change minds and hearts, believing in myself and in my message, being comfortable enough to take risks without the fear of failure - I can feel myself being more powerful and confident. I feel myself being less nervous and more energized.
Envisioning
Before: I had adopted the mindset that public speaking just "wasn't for me". I wanted to go from rock-bottom speaking skills to mediocre speaking-skills. I had just wanted to be proficient at speaking. Now, excellency is in my vision. I know that this two-week course is only the beginning of my speaking journey, but the ridiculous amount of progress I have made in such a short time makes me confident that I have the ability to become a great speaker. This, until now, was something that I didn't think was possible. Public speaking is just like anything else - an art. It is something that must be practiced. And fantastic public speaking skills are attainable for anyone who works hard to achieve them. Having "excellency" in my spectrum of possibility is a beautiful thing, for which I owe you huge thanks.
