Category: Self Improvement

Permit me, this is a “thought-in-text-podcast”

The idea for this short piece was derived after watching the GOAT deliver a speech at “The Grammys”. He made so much sense that his nervousness was not an item. If you are a fan of Jay, you will probably agree with me to want to argue that the least individual to have some bit of nervousness on stage will be Shawn Corey Carter. This guy has said and done it all. From performing to millions on stages to museum free-styling in front of regular individuals – he made wordsmithing feel like artwork; a good work of art. He gave us some lines those years. if you know, you know!

Can such a guy be nervous? Should such a guy be nervous?

Watch the video before I spill me thoughts

Now to my take on public speaking. Often feared and avoided due to the apprehension it brings. It is a skill that demands both courage and vulnerability. The jittery feeling before stepping onto a stage is a common experience that goes round and must go round. As a matter of fact, you are never going to be too big for it. So, rather than viewing nervousness as a hindrance, it can be reframed as a natural response to the importance of the moment.

In this article, lets look into why it is okay to be nervous in public speaking, while emphasizing the significance of effective communication and meaningful expression.

Nervousness, far from being a sign of incompetence, is often an indication of the significance one attaches to the task at hand. It’s a physiological response to the adrenaline rush that accompanies stepping out of one’s comfort zone. Recognizing and acknowledging nervousness can serve as a catalyst for growth, pushing speakers to prepare more diligently and engage more deeply with their audience. Moreover, nervousness humanizes the speaker, making them relatable and authentic in the eyes of their listeners (That means to say, na human being dey dey nervous). The GOAT was receptive of it and also drew strength from his daughter! So whenever, you are going on stage, be certain to identify your source of strength. Forget “don’t put your hands in your pocket” gibberish. If in that moment of the intense heat, your strength is in that right pocket of yours, go for it! The antidote is to be open to it, ensure you have something meaningful to say, take your time and be intentional in the way and manner you relay your story. At the end of the day, it is storytelling.

Okay, lets not get carried away.

While nervousness is permissible and even expected, it must not overshadow the essence of public speaking: effective communication. The true measure of a successful speech lies not in the absence of nerves but in the clarity and impact of the message conveyed. Speakers must prioritize understanding their audience, structuring their content coherently, and delivering it with conviction. Meaningful communication fosters connection, inspires action, and leaves a lasting impression long after the nerves have settled.

So what will be my recommendation to emerging successful even when nervousness is sure?

Don’t be open to speak on what you don’t know (that is a call to hyper-nervousness). If you have to, then move to the next point.

Preparation: Be prepared! this helps to build confidence and reduces anxiety. I am not one for writing speeches. I would rather identify what needs to be passed across and speak freely in the moment but ensuring there is clarity of thought. So if preparation for you is writing your speech, rehearsing, memorizing it then flow with it. Know your style and never be muscled into another persons style. From the speech you watched above, I believe you will join my bet that Jay knew what he was coming to say – perhaps not a written speech but knew the anchors in his message and found a way to deliver them as best as he could.

Engage with the audience: Shift the focus from internal worries to external engagement by actively connecting with your audience. Make them a part of the conversation, get them to give you a chance. It seems people like anticipation, passing mild joke about self.

Embrace imperfection: Accept that nervousness is a natural part of public speaking and embrace it as a sign of growth and opportunity. Ensure you have your source of strength, your own antidote at that moment of nerves. I know mine, find yours.

In conclusion, nervousness should be viewed not as a barrier to effective public speaking but as a companion on the journey towards mastery. By embracing the jitters and focusing on meaningful communication, speakers can harness their nerves to deliver impactful presentations that resonate with their audience. Remember, it’s okay to be nervous; what truly matters is the sincerity and clarity with which you communicate your thoughts and ideas. So step onto that stage with confidence, knowing that your nervousness is a testament to the importance of the message you have to share.

Comment, Like, Share and subscribe.

#Curiosity #Findings

Where is the X? perhaps it can be found in understanding the scenarios around the whole concept of work – life balance. It is important to isolate the two key phrases in our effort to demystify the union between the two words. In doing this, it is critical that we attempt the following question for the sake of wisdom:

Question – is the concept/perception of work – life balance given or created?

There is a common thought pattern among employees; the average individual within the context of work holds the employer responsible for the perceived imbalance as it concerns their work & life. Hence the notion “my employer doesn’t give me a breather for life”. Can this be said to be the absolute truth? – caveat, this piece is not to hold brief for any party within the cycle of who shapes and ensures balance. The intent is simply to purge and help find direction for a desired balance.

Let’s do a bit of mental activity. Work revolves around two parties. One provides work while the other does the work. One provides the tools and essentials for getting work done while the other is still responsible for managing time, resources and putting in effort to get the work done. In this instance, who among these parties should be smart about getting work done? Stay with me. We will be back to tying the two ends of the argument.

Life, the second phrase is all about living it. The question here is, whose choice is it on how to live life within the chronological possibilities available to man? One can guess the univocal response to be the individual or the employee and not the employer. So, in this instance, can it be rightly maintained that the employee plays a bigger role in finding the balance between work and life? Does this balance ultimately hinge on smart work and prioritization?

Let’s explore these scenarios:

Delete a text in Microsoft Word

You – Highlight the text and click on control X.

Your Colleague – Highlight the text, right click on the mouse, scroll down to select cut, click on cut.

It took you two steps to complete a task while it took your colleague four steps to complete same task. Where your colleague approaches work with multiples of un-smartness in completing tasks, then such colleague might get saddled with a lot that really might not be a lot. In this instance, your colleague might have to show up every Saturday to complete outstanding task. The Life aspect starts suffering. Think!

Cook, clean the shop floor, and arrange the store before closing for the day.

Employee A – Starts the cooking process and ensured that cooking utensils were dumped in the sink without being attended to while scrolling through Instagram and TikTok at every interval. Moved on to cleaning the shop floor with the intent of washing the cooking utensils later. While cleaning the shop floor, took time to watch some skits and YouTube videos. Moved on to the store when it was some minutes to the closing time. The task of washing the cooking utensils was still pending…

Employee B – Started the cooking and was cleaning the cooking utensils as the cooking went on. Moved on to cleaning the shop floor and progressed in good time to the store to arrange the store as instructed. Finished on time and was right on time to close for the day and go engage in own life activities.

For employees like Employee A, will the possibility of balancing work with life be seamless? What intervention can the employer put in place to help such individual achieve a desired balancing of the two?

Or better still, you complain of the absence of time to get some personal things done just because of workload. Fair enough, however, you can start by writing on a sheet of paper what that thing is and also write on another sheet of paper that amount of money you would hate to lose or misplace.

Now, what if you are told that the amount of money you have written will be tripled and given to you the moment you complete that personal thing, would you find time out of the perceived busyness to complete it? You sure will because you would have filtered the noise, the distractions that you know bring about the imbalance observed between work and life. Suddenly there is some degree of importance and urgency attached.

Ultimately, tying the two ends, both parties, the employer and the employee are active participants in the subject. However, so far, from your perspective, who is more in the driving seat in ensuring a balance or integration of work and life?

Whatever your decision is, seek smartness and prioritize.

Wishing you a great year!

#curiosity #insights