Trust Your Voice: A Wise Lesson I Learned from a Super Cool Public Speaker

“Why do you write?” my transformation coach asked me during a one-on-one session. She’s a dynamic, peppy storyteller with a knack for public speaking. She’s a “natural.” She can quickly whip up hearty stories and then easily serve them to her listeners like warm beignets. On the other hand, I prefer to speak to an audience through writing. I like to review and edit.  However, I was ready to get uncomfortable. I was there to find fresh ways of expressing my voice.

“Why do I write?”  I felt compelled to “persuade” and “sell.” I defaulted to job interview mode and prepared to give my standard, formal response.

“I write because I like to create engaging stories. I help clients define their voice and reach their target market.” After a few seconds, she asked me to stop talking. She then shared a couple tools that she uses to keep her own content sounding original:

First, trust your voice.

Next, speak from the heart. Sure, you’ll iron out structure and weave in applause lines. But, lead with your truth.

She encouraged me to start over. “This time, speak naturally.”

I ditched the fluff.

I write because ever since I was little, I dreamed of being an author.

As a kid, I didn’t share those dreams. I nurtured them internally. Even as an adult, I sometimes ignored my creative drive. But, I’ve always celebrated the magic of words.

I love to escape into a blood-tingling adventure. When I feel lonely, words soothe me. Stories can make me squeal with laughter and spill over with joy. And I’m always rooting for the underdog. Their journey is laced with hardships. Yet, “somehow” they make it. I like to uncover the spark that propels them forward. Is it destiny? Is it determination or personal strength? Furthermore, some stories have enticed me to develop new rituals. Others have motivated me to be more courageous. In either case, I experienced growth. I write to offer similar inspiration to others.

I write to create more pathways of self-discovery. The more I share my story, the more I discover about my beliefs, habits, and assumptions.  I realize that I’m a creature of habit. I also realize that when I step out of my comfort zone, I always experience amazing breakthroughs.

I write to show up and have impact. As a marketing writer, I help clients tease out their “why.” I turn their notes and outlines into splashy website copy, media kits, and speeches. Sometimes we begin with just their passion and ideas. And that’s a great starting point. I help them build a framework. Then, I highlight the transformation that they offer their customers.

Of course, what I’ve written here is more developed than what I shared in my session. My coach listened to me, uninterrupted, for a few minutes. I know I was on the right track. I used my notes from the meeting to write this blog post.

Her words resonated with me and still ring true, “Trust your voice and speak from the heart.”