One of the biggest fears people have is public speaking. But, that fear doesn’t translate into a great Halloween costume (we’ll save that for zombies, werewolves, and vampires!)
As for me, with October 31 tapping on the door, I’ve come to rediscover the joy pumpkin carving. As an adult, carving pumpkins may not be the first activity that comes to mind when considering a productive or creative pastime.
Often associated with childhood memories of Halloween, the act of carving a pumpkin can seem out of place in the busy world of adulthood.
But, surprisingly, it has a few important lessons to teach us about how to speak in business. Here’s some learnings you’ll find while pumpkin carving this spooky season that you can take directly to your next speech.
1. Have a clear vision
Imagine you’re getting ready to carve a pumpkin. You don’t just dive in with your knife, right? No way!
You first need to have a clear picture in your mind of the design you want to create. Well, the same goes for public speaking.
You don’t just stand up and start talking without a plan. You need to have a clear message and a well-defined purpose for your speech.
Just like a pumpkin carver envisions the final masterpiece while looking at that plain, orange shell, a speaker should also picture the impact their words will have on the audience.
2. Planning is key
Whether you’re gearing up to carve a pumpkin or for a public speech, careful planning is critical.
When it comes to pumpkin carving, you’ve got to make sure you’ve got all your tools ready and pick out the perfect pumpkin.
Similarly, public speaking follows the same pattern.
You’ve got to map out your message, dig into your topic, and get your speech all ready to go.
Being well-prepared is like the secret ingredient that makes both pumpkin carving and public speaking a success!
3. Prepare the right tools and techniques
When you’re getting ready to carve a pumpkin, you’ve got to think about having the right tools on hand.
It’s not just about grabbing any old knife; you need the sharpest one you can scavenge from the kitchen. Plus, you’ve got to know how to use them like a pro to make your pumpkin come to life.
Now, think about public speaking. You’re not just going up there and talking. You’ve got to choose the right rhetorical devices, slides, and delivery techniques to get your message across.
It’s all about understanding your toolkit and using it like a champ in both scenarios.
4. Execute with focus and precision
When you’re diving into the intricate art of carving a pumpkin, you quickly learn that patience and precision are your best friends. One slip-up, and your entire perfect pumpkin could go down the drain.
Now, let’s shift gears to public speaking. Just like in pumpkin carving, precision is an absolute must.
One tiny misstep, like stumbling over a word, misquoting a source, or delivering incorrect information, can seriously dent your credibility and the power of your message.
5. Be adaptable and flexible
Think about carving a pumpkin, it’s an adventure full of surprises.
Sometimes, you might start with a grand design, but the pumpkin throws you a curveball with its imperfections. This forces you to adjust your plan.
Just like in pumpkin carving, things don’t always go as smoothly as you’d like when you take to the stage.
Unforeseen hiccups like technical glitches or a sudden shift in the audience’s mood can throw a wrench in your well-prepared speech.
The ability to adapt and roll with the punches is a skill that both pumpkin carving and public speaking have in common.
6. Celebrating the end result
At the end of the day, whether you’re wrapping up a beautifully carved pumpkin or finishing a stellar speech, the sense of accomplishment is incomparable.
Both pursuits demand your dedication and hard work. But that feeling of pride when you step back and bask in the glow of your pumpkin’s design or witness the impact of your words on your audience is a special kind of reward.
It’s what makes all the effort and hard work worth it in the end.
Final thoughts on public speaking and pumpkin carving
Pumpkin carving and public speaking may not look like they have much in common. But they both highlight the significance of careful planning and preparation.
Whether you’re creating a spooky pumpkin or delivering a speech, these activities share some valuable lessons about having a clear vision, being precise, adapting to unexpected situations, and feeling the satisfaction of a job well done.
Oh, and if you’re wondering how the jack-o-lantern turned out – here you go!
So, the next time you’re elbow-deep in pumpkin guts as a grown-up, don’t just brush it off as a kids’ game.
Embrace it as a chance to sharpen your planning and execution skills. You might be surprised to find that your pumpkin carving and public speaking pursuits have more connections than you ever thought possible.
