The majority of my articles focus on topics directly related to the business of public speaking. Today, I’m going off script a bit to talk about the fact that even though we’re speakers, entrepreneurs, and small business owners, we’re also people with families and lives. And while we might know what kinds of efforts and precautions to take to safeguard our presentations so they can go as smoothly as possible, the path isn’t always as clear when we hit a rocky patch.
A few weeks ago, my family had the unfortunate opportunity to experience our lives “turning on a dime” when a family member suffered a medical injury. Thankfully, it turned out not to be life-threatening, but it definitely created a rocky patch that’s challenged our world as we knew it. After two weeks, I found myself wishing I could go back to the “normal” life I was leading before this happened… including the parts that weren’t glamorous, or fun, and maybe even boring. This past Wednesday, I was so happy because I was able to follow my normal Wednesday routine of working with a client and then going to my favorite grocery store, Trader Joe’s.
It’s been a few weeks now, and gratefully, things continue to head in a positive direction. So, what does this have to do with speaking? Well… these past weeks I’ve had a lot of firsthand experience being helped by people who were experts at things I didn’t have a clue about. I had no idea how to navigate a hospital or rehab situation. I didn’t know the nuances or ins-and-outs of medical insurance. Fortunately, I knew a few experts personally, and reached out to people I knew could refer me to experts I needed but didn’t know. The result was a few crash courses that made a difference. There was so much to learn, practically on a daily basis.
No one knows if their life is going to turn on a dime, or that they’re about to hit a rocky patch. But when it happens, everyone wants to find an expert who can help them navigate what’s going on. My example might be a bit extreme, but my point is that you’re an expert at solving problems within a specific topic. You’re one of those people who can help someone get through whatever it is they’re going through. Sooooo….
- Get yourself out there! There are folks out there depending on your expertise and problem-solving knowledge to get through their rocky patches. When you speak to the right audience, they’ll be grateful to know you understand what they’re going through. They’ll be grateful that you’re helping them get to “the light at the end of the tunnel” of their situation too. This is one of the best reasons for us to speak. We can help people get through their situations and back to their new normal.
- Remember… the “stage” isn’t the only place you get to share your problem-solving expertise. You’re an expert when you’re interacting with someone face to face too. Yeah, yeah… you already know that. But having been on the receiving side of that situation of late, I can tell you firsthand how reassuring it was to talk to people who had the expertise to help me navigate what was going on around me.
There are many different types of rocky paths, personal and professional. It’s not up to us to judge what’s serious or critical for another. It’s our job as speakers to put ourselves, and our problem-solving expertise out there so people will know at least one expert they can turn to when they’re in need.
‘Til we speak again….
~Beth