Speaking While Burnt Out

🎀 + CAPTAIN KIRK = USE THE FORCE, HARRY!

SPEAKING IS A PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL ACT.

Most people don’t recognize how much toll being in front of an audience takes on your mind and your body. As such, when you are consistently leading and speaking, you have the possibility of burning out.

And I would know. I just finished a “summer tour” with 18,270 miles traveled through 8 states for 23 Keynotes and Workshops.

Don’t get me wrong. I am NOT complaining at all. I love what I do and it was a ROCKIN’ summer.

😴 And… …I’m tired.

πŸŽ™οΈ And… I still have to get up and speak, even though I am physically and a little bit mentally depleted. πŸ’ͺ I am still bringing my best to these audiences because I have learned a little about finding the energy and motivation to rock a stage, even when you want to be rocked to sleep.

WHY IT MATTERS: SEE #3 BELOW.

🎀 MIC CHECK: HOW TO SPEAK WHEN YOU ARE BURNT OUT

πŸ”‹ I told you I was a bit tired. While I write every word of these newsletters, I thought I would give ChatGPT a little bit of airtime.

HERE’S WHAT I ASKED:

Write three short paragraphs outlining strategies on what to do when you need to do public speaking but you are burnt out and exhausted. The three paragraphs are about 1. Trust your training – you have to practice and rehearse and when you do, you must remember to trust that you are ready to go. 2. Mix it up just a little bit. While it is important to do the show you know, it is also important to add a little extra detail, story, or even a joke to test out that will get you excited about something new. Finally, 3. Remember that speaking is not about you. It is about your audience. If you are a speaker, you are here to serve.

Also, write each paragraph in the form of a limerick.

HERE’S WHAT I GOT:

#1
When you’re drained but you’ve got to speak,
Trust your training, no need to tweak.
You’ve rehearsed your lines, both old and new,
So take the stage, you know what to do.
Lean on prep when your energy’s low,
it’ll help you through the show.

#2
Sometimes the familiar feels like a chore,
So add a sprinkle, maybe even more.
A joke, a quote, or a story that’s new,
Can bring back passion and help you renew.
Mix it up just a bit, and your enthusiasm will be lit.

#3
Remember, dear speaker, it’s not about you,
It’s your audience that matters, this much is true.
You’re here to serve, to enlighten their day,
So focus on them, you’ll find your own way.
When you put them first,
your tiredness will surely disperse.

Keep speaking up your story,

ENCORE: MORE TO EXPLORE

SPEAKING WHEN YOU DON’T FEEL LIKE SPEAKING

Burnout doesn’t only impact our bodies; it exhausts our minds as well. On top of that, having to communicate and lead others when you’re physically fatigued and mentally foggy presents a significant challenge. Click the button below to discover how to speak effectively even when you don’t feel like it.

Then There Was The Time I Had A Meltdown In A Tesla…

Burnout can hit you when you least expect it. For me, it happened while sitting in a Tesla in the parking garage of a rental car company, struggling to figure out how to operate the car and feeling overwhelmed by everything around me. Click on the button below to learn more!