Talking for a Living is a Complex Skill

What is the most difficult thing about speaking? It’s the ability to recall meaningful words in a timely and confident manner—to select words from your vocabulary, from deep thoughts, words with weight that help people understand how you think and offer a perspective that may or may not resonate with them. That is the complexity of communication. Your brain is a great computer, full of experiences and a deep, untapped reservoir of powerful words and emotions. But how can we tap into this reservoir of words—words we might rarely use yet to articulate our ideas powerfully to others? I believe there are exercises that can train the brain to recall words more effectively. There is no replacement for reading and writing if you want to be a well-spoken person. With dedication, you can become one of the most interesting people in your circle, someone worth listening to, if you take the time to develop your ability to speak well. Articulating your ideas well is a complex skill, one that should be honed and crafted, not taken for granted. It’s about finding the right words at the right time to express the essence of the moment unfolding before you. Many people don’t take this skill seriously. Some simply open their mouths and say whatever comes to mind, and often, the result is confusing, off-target, or ineffective. But what we want is to hit the target with our words 10

0% of the time, avoiding the need to backtrack and explain ourselves. We should aim to articulate ideas with simplicity yet with elegance, poise, confidence, and intrigue, leaving others wanting to hear more. When we speak and engage others, activating their minds and stimulating thought, we create an exchange of energy. Our words can turn listeners on with excitement and invite them to think deeply. In doing so, we give them permission to express themselves at a high level. High-level conversation—the highest form of spiritual electricity—is truth. The question becomes: how elegantly, beautifully, and lovingly can you speak the truth to others?