The modern world has never seen change, disruption and uncertainty on such a massive scale. To be able to speak in public is still a skill that we all need. From talking with a grocery employee over the telephone or in-person to speaking through a virtual platform to hundreds of public speakingcolleagues, you still have a responsibility to be understood, heard and offer information that has value for the listener.
In this unprecedented time, our speaking skills are more important than ever. With social distancing being the norm for a long time to come, how can we communicate our ideas, fears, encouragement and praise to each other, unless we use our voices passively through the written word on a computer, or actively through human to human verbal conversations.
Our voice is the instrument of life. It can deflate or elevate, discourage or inspire, be an obstacle to challenge or a champion for courage. We have choices, of how we wish to live our lives, in fear or bravery, speaking up to injustices or living in complacency.
Now is an excellent time to explore the gifts of public speaking we were born with. Here are ten ways to open our hearts and minds to our voices for humanity:
- Read a storybook through FaceTime to your grandchildren.
- Talk to your friends and family often through the telephone or computer.
- Take courses through Zoom connecting to new people.
- Make use of FaceTime and all social media sites, keeping up with family, friends and colleagues.
- Try to sing often your favourite songs.
- Make a video on an uplifting theme. Experiment and have fun.
- Make a recording of your voice reading a short play and send it to family and friends.
- Learn a new language
- Create a joke book of your favourite or keep a file of comic strips.
- Love, laugh and be kind to as many people as possible.
Please take good care of yourself. Now, more than ever, we simply must come together to tackle these challenges.