By marenx the Writer


Addressing people without shaking is an asset I wanted to have since my secondary school years. A lot of people wanted to have this asset, but only a few out there have it.

It is easy for many people to post something on Facebook, talk to a stranger and even be an actor, but why is it difficult to stand before people and talk?

One day I was called to talk to my classmates and my lecturer on a topic I was given one week ago. I stood there until I felt I was alone paralyzing in the wilderness. I forgot all what I had planned to say.

Not only that, it took me more than a month to recover from the shame.

I told myself God didn’t create me to address people.



But when I began teaching in one school, a colleague told me something important. He said most graduates who hate teaching don’t hate it for poor salary structure but for finding it hard to stand before students and deliver a message. Most people I know who can stand before people and talk love teaching so I agreed with him.

And he told me the secret that changed my life.

He said: ‘Whenever I plan what to tell people, I end up saying it in a different way.’

And when he was given an opportunity to address assembly, I watched and observed him as he spoke.

And I noticed 3 things that distinguished him from me:

1. He didn’t worry about what he plans to say.
2. He didn’t cram what he plans to say and
3. He began by saying something he knew well (anecdotes).

I remembered stand-up comedians. My colleague was using the same techniques stand-up comedians are using.

Comedians never cram what to say: they solely depend on anecdotes.

The day I was asked to address many people I put all that to practice and my performance surprised me.

Using those techniques, I also unearth another secret: the use of silence--what finally makes me a big voice.

To be continued with the use of silence.....

Ride on sir, I am waiting.