I almost didn’t reach out to the host for my very first podcast interview because I thought I wasn’t qualified.
I almost wanted to redo the entire recording when I heard my own accent and the filler words I used.
I almost put my audience to sleep with my super flat tone during a 20-minute speech at my first conference.
I was actually kicked off the stage before I could even finish my first ever in-person speech.
I almost called in sick on the day of a tech conference, knowing that more than 100+ people would be there watching.
You see. My journey to becoming a better public speaker has always been accompanied by fears, doubts, and failures.
They’re constant companions, whispering challenges, hoping I’ll stop if they’re persistent enough.
Despite their presence, I choose to speak more and more.
With each opportunity, I center myself on why I speak.
At every talk, I focus on refining my skills, on outdoing my past performances.
With every speech, I show up even more authentic and vulnerable, hoping to connect with more people.
I speak because it makes a difference—not just to others, but to me as well.
And that’s why I continue to speak.
Now, it’s your turn.
What stories do you have inside you if you let your voice be heard?
Let’s not wait for the perfect moment; it’s the perfectly imperfect ones that truly resonate.
Love,
Wen