Some ideas to help you take your public speaking to the next level in 2012.
In no particular order:
1. I will prepare.
2. I will practice.
3. I will have a clear message.
4. I will be able to distill every speech and every presentation into a single sentence.
5. I will always ask myself: “Why should the audience care about my message?”
6. If I cannot answer that question, I will find a new message. Or a new audience.
7. I will arrive early for my speaking engagements.
8. I will make sure that the equipment works.
9. I will have a back-up plan in case the equipment doesn’t work.
10. I will be well rested before speaking.
11. I will use less text in my slide presentations.
12. I will use more images in my slide presentations.
13. I will speak without a slide presentation.
14. I will read Presentation Zen by Garr Reynolds.
15. I will watch one TED Talk every week.
16. I will get feedback on my performance.
17. I will join Toastmasters or another speaking association.
18. I will give a toast at a party.
19. I will seek out speaking opportunities at work.
20. I will seek out speaking opportunities in my community.
21. I will join public speaking groups on LinkedIn.
22. I will actively participate in discussions in those groups.
23. I will read Resonate by Nancy Duarte.
24. I will get comfortable using props.
25. I will give a speech without notes.
26. I will tell more stories.
27. I will smile.
28. I will remember that being a little nervous before a speech is normal.
29. I will make eye contact with the audience.
30. I will read good blogs on public speaking such as the ones found here.
31. I will pause effectively.
32. I will find out as much as I can about my audience beforehand.
33. I will not speak longer than my allotted time.
34. I will get comfortable using a remote control for my slide presentations.
35. I will read Made to Stick by Chip and Dan Heath.
36. I will be passionate.
37. I will breathe deeply.
38. I will video myself speaking.
39. I will watch the videos.
40. I will work on eliminating distracting gestures or habits.
41. I will focus on the audience and not myself.
42. I will use quotes.
43. I will use humour, if appropriate.
44. I will speak without using a lectern.
45. I will be willing to be vulnerable on stage.
46. I will remember that my audience doesn’t expect me to be perfect.
47. I will remember that my audience does expect me to be present.
48. I will remember that all the great speakers were bad speakers at first.
49. I will recognize that there is always room for improvement.
50. I will enjoy the ride.
Happy New Year!
Thanks for sharing …
I don’t know maybe this should also be in there as well? “I shall commit to attend all my toastmasters club meetings.”
Hi Alice and thanks for the comment. There is certainly no reason why the list has to stop at 50. (I just got tired!) And if a person belongs to Toastmasters or another speaking organization, then committing to attending meetings (and participating!) is a great resolution.
John
Very creative resolutions, I personally need to apply a few of them … am still new, at CC: 2, and so I need all the material/info./encouragement I can get. Thank you
Hi Alice and thank you for the comment. Glad that you find the ideas useful. Best of luck with the journey! Remember to take it step by step. It is rarely a good idea to work on changing too many things at once. Rather, pick one or two points on which to work. Once you are comfortable with them, move on to something else. You’ll notice steady, concrete improvement.
John
Hi John,
Fantastic! Thanks, I just love your 50 New Years Resolution list. Its great to have so many, all in one list to work on. Even if we gain a bit further on some of them, we’ll be ahead.
Will forward it on. Have a great 2012!
Adrienne
Hi Adrienne,
Thanks for the comment and kind words. Progress is what it’s all about. All the best for 2012 in the great Down Under.
John
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I have already commented a while ago but forgot to click the two blocks below. Once again thank you for your great effort in sharing your valuble thoughts and experience.
Thank you, Nabeesa, for the comment. I am glad that you find the information useful. All the best for a terrific 2012.
John
Love it! All the best to you in 2012!
Many thanks, José. Have a terrific 2012 yourself.
John
Excellent post, John. (From one Canadian to another.) Dave
Thanks, Dave! Much appreciated, eh! All the best for a terrific 2012.
John
Great job, John. Your list is indeed on point.
Much appreciated, Tunde. All the best for 2012.
John
Like it very much. Short, relevant, inspiring.
I enjoyed reading you in 2011. Looking forward to 2012.
T H A N K Y O U !
Ozgur
Tessekur ederim, Özgür! Thanks very much and all the best for a great 2012.
John
Excellent! If I may, here’s a 51st resolution: I will expect the unexpected.
Thanks very much for the comment and addition, Dave. You and other readers are most welcome to add to the list. It is much appreciated. And expecting the unexpected is a great suggestion. All the best in 2012.
John
Thank you, John. Love your list! Happy 2012!
Cheers, Diane and Happy New Year back.
John
John,
I really enjoy reading your post. I would like to translate it into Spanish, giving you all the credit of course and referring back to you website. What do you think? I just think this should be shared with pepole that perhaps can’t understand English.
Thanks for sharing and I alredy included most of it in my speaker new year’s resolution list.
Warm regards from Mexico.
Hola Jorge y muchas gracias! I would be delighted if you wanted to translate my post into Spanish. Please go ahead and please feel free to translate any other posts that you like into Spanish.
My best wishes to you for 2012.
John
Fantastico!
Hi John!
Thank you for putting that list together. Some points are “old” and some points are new. Have a very happy and successful new year!
Cheers,
Alexandra
Hi Alexandra. Thanks very much for the comment. Yes, the list is a mix. I am sure that many people are doing many of these things already, but I wanted a list that would be useful for anyone regardless of their level.
I hope that our paths cross next year somewhere in Europe. In the meantime, all the best for a great 2012.
John
A great list to get everyone off to a great start for the new year!
Many thanks, Valery. All the best to you in 2012.
John
GREAT list, John!!
I believe you’ve covered it very well.
Thank for all your great work this past year. I’m looking forward to your 2012 Posts!
The BEST to you in 2012!
Many thanks, Fred. There are undoubtedly other things that could be added, but I figured 50 was good for a start. Many thanks to you too for all of your efforts to help people improve their public speaking abilities. I wish you a healthy, happy and prosperous 2012.
John
Love this! Will be sharing.
Happy New Year!
Many thanks, Janet. Happy New Year back!
John
Great list except the enjoy part (#50) should be first. Thx
Thanks, John. I was going for the recency effect!
Cheers and all the best for 2012.
John