How I Found My Skills In Telling My Story
By Rae Martens
I'm what you might call an introverted extrovert—anxious yet capable of talking at length. At first, I struggled with getting to the point, but with practice and experience, I gradually refined my communication skills.
Here are a few things that helped me build my skills over time.
I imagined every talk I give with what I call “The Rule of Four”.
What concept from my life best introduces the point of what I want to say? People need to be brought alongside at least a small part of the journey you’ve been on. What’s a good starting point?
What is message number one that I want to share with the audience? What leads me to share that point? This connects rule one with rule two.
What is message number two that I want to share with the audience? What leads me to share that point? This connects rule two with rule three.
The best endings are a call to action or a summary of what you wish to share with others. What ties rule four with one, two and three?
Thinking alongside the rule of four helped me to not over-extend the complex nuances of my life and helped keep me on point.
Balanced on top of the rule of four, were a few guidelines to keep me on track.
Stick with your purpose. Consider who your audience is which may help you understand what sort of journey you wish to take people on.
Insights can be balanced with emotions. Emotions help drive home the point of your insights.
Think on how much on your story you wish to share. It’s worth keeping some areas just for you.
Sharing your story is a wonderful way to teach others and bring a human lens to events. It can take a little time and practice to feel at home on stage.