Always “Begin with the end”!

Confused?

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey states Habit 2 of the 7 Habits as Begin with the end in mind, which is about making sure that each day contributes in a rich, meaningful way to the vision a listener has of life as a whole.

This phrase can indeed be used in every aspect of life, especially while delivering a speech on stage in front of a huge crowd where your message needs to be impactful. The purpose of public speaking is to inspire an audience to make a change in their lives. It usually needs to have a clear purpose, a personal story written for a specific group of people, and a conclusion that includes a call to action.

If the entire process of preparing and delivering a speech is reversed, i.e., first understanding the conclusion and later structuring the opening of the speech, the message will automatically fall into place quite easily. Once you analyse what the audience needs to grab from your speech, the essence of the speech gets clear and sorted.

For instance, before planning your vacation, think about the outcome. Do you want to relax on the beach, experience new cultures, or visit historical landmarks? By considering the end result, you can plan an itinerary that helps you achieve your desired goal.

The next time you present yourself in front of people, first examine the purpose of your speech; the idea will be conveyed more efficiently and have a lasting impression.

If you are looking to improve your public speaking abilities and advance your career, taking a public speaking class at Chatterbox is the first step to begin the pursuit. At Chatterbox, we teach our students the necessary skills and techniques to command an audience’s attention, entertain, and inform them while being a highly likeable speaker with the right instructions and enough practise. We help our students on an individual basis, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses and working to hone their unique public speaking skills.