On Sunday night, I had the chance to witness 4th of July fireworks for the first time in my life. I couldn’t wait to test the “fireworks” setting on my new Kodak EasyShare Z915.
As we waited for the fireworks show to start at Lakeshore Park in Kissimmee, FL, I could see a number of other fireworks going off in the distance. Anxious to test out my camera, I took some photos of the fireworks in the distance. The results were terrible. I couldn’t zoom in enough to get a clear picture. So we waited … and waited … and waited.
For some reason, our fireworks show wouldn’t start. To make matters worse, it started to rain.
Would our show be cancelled? Would I get to see the fireworks I’d been waiting to see for so long? Or would I have to settle for watching the fireworks go off in the distance?
As you can tell by the picture at the start of this blog post, our fireworks finally started and I was able to use the fireworks setting on my camera. At first, I was fascinated by the up-close-and-personal show. Ironically, after snapping a few pictures, my fascination with the fireworks wore off. I still enjoyed watching the light show, but I wasn’t in awe anymore. I simply enjoyed the moment.
What does all of this have to do with public speaking?
Most public speakers wait for the day when they get standing ovations, can hold an audience in the palm of their hand and are paid to speak. They’re waiting for their own fireworks to start.
They stand back and watch other presenters get standing ovations. They hear stories of other public speakers having an audience hang on their every word. They network with other public speakers who are paid to speak at conventions and give in-house workshops. All the while, the improving public speaker wonders if his or her time for fireworks will ever come. They will.
So long as you’re dedicated to working on improving your public speaking skills, your fireworks will come. So long as you’re willing to put in the time and effort it takes to craft a compelling message, your fireworks will start. And when they do, it will be an exhilarating feeling.
After a while, the fascination will wear off and, instead of focusing on the show, you’ll be able to stand back and appreciate the moments as they happen.
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Hi John
Your site is looking good – notice you have installed CommentLuv.
You are now one of the luvies.
Nice post John and good advice.
Make a start, keep at it and one day?
Hard work works every time.
Keith Davis´s last [type] ..A splash of colour
One of the best things an audience member can say to you is that your talk, “made a difference”.
It’s for this ‘making a difference’ goal, that’s it’s important to always be taking your audience’s temperature. Look at their body language and eye (or lack of) contact. If they’re not ‘getting’ your message, restate it in a different way.
The big fireworks, as you stated, will come later.
Thanks for the Post!
I agree with Fred, the best fireworks is if someone told you that what you said made a difference.
You can get hours of standing ovations but it doesn’t mean that your speech had changed anyones life, you can get silence from the crowd but few peoples lives will never be the same afterward.
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