Wondering how to win a speech contest?
Thinking that I’m going to talk about another contest in which I participated or won? I’m taking break for a while from contest season.
Well, let’s change gears a bit.
It’s not about me but about one of my students who won first place in a speech contest.
I do not take any credit in this win. It’s absolutely based on my student’s hard work and current skill level.
But, I feel proud that some of the techniques I taught helped her win the speech contest.
I just want to share them with you so that you can use this to WIN in your game… whether it’s public speaking skills or any other skills.
This was a contest where the contestant has to evaluate the speaker and give feedback.
Even though my student did not do ALL that I said… but did this one thing right….
Of course there were other things but this seemed to be the secret sauce.
That’s what my student felt.
So, here we go:
Writing down what you want everyday for 1 full page before the D-day.
This might sound trivial but what I said here is absolute gold. I tested this number of times. I have coached people with this technique apart from public speaking as well and it works like charm. Even if it does not manifest immediately, you are planting seeds of success.
Example:
- “On xx-xx-2016, I am the winner of contest zzzz”,
- ” I am going to get the top rank in YYYY class”,
- “I am going to clear and get the driver’s license from Connecticut DMV on xx-xx-xxxx”
I’m going to tell a personal experience. It was one of my high pressure scenarios. When I was in Connecticut, I failed my driving test twice.
The first time I hit the curb while doing reverse parking (actually tried twice and hit the curb twice). The officer, “Let’s go NOW.”
REJECTED
The second time, I pressed my accelerator and brake alternatively so that I can maintain a constant speed of 30 miles/hour on a bumpy road.
The officer looked at me and said, “You have to drive at 30 miles smoothly. Not like this”
REJECTED
The third time, I followed this technique which my sister’s friend suggested.
And I cleared the test the third time!
There is a magic that happens when we actually follow this technique.
I have a friend of mine who was not able to clear a professional certification for a long time. I suggested this approach and guess what?
She cleared it too!
Here’s the secret sauce.
Writing down your exact goal of what you want works pretty well whether it a speech contest or a driving test :).
I know you must be sweating thinking about the speech contest, but don’t forget to enjoy the process.
The process will teach you many things that you won’t even realize. All the best!
