Here's how you can navigate failure in motivational speaking with support systems and resources.

Not every speech or video is going to "crush it". When I'm working with my public speaking clients, I remind them about transforming failure into a powerful tool for growth. Les Brown often says, "When life knocks you down, try to land on your back. Because if you can look up, you can get up." Reflect on what didn’t work, learn from it, and then rise stronger. Use each experience to refine your craft and deepen your connection with the audience. Remember that every failure is a step closer to your ultimate success. Keep your vision clear and your spirit unbreakable.

Don't hesitate to seek feedback! Ken Blanchard says that "Feedback is the breakfast of champions." Even though feedback can feel like an attack or criticism, it's not. Be willing to eat it up! When offered by a caring mentor or coach, it is wisdom and correction for you to reach your next level. I really enjoy having my clients record themselves on video and we do critiquing session together so we can discuss what we see and hear and what resonates and what can be left behind. The goal is growth...but sometimes there are growing pains we have to go through in order to reach the heights we are meant for!

Having supportive people in your corner can truly help when things don't go the way you hope. Not only people who might be there for you during the actual speech or right after, but also in the days following. Someone who you can get on a call or video chat with and share your experience and feelings with. We are all going to have our bumps and bruises. Having supporting peers or friends who will help pick you back up and keep you moving forward is extremely important!

As a Jazz Musician, we learn to speak the "language" of Jazz by listening and transcribing solos. Then emulating and learning how to create our own unique vocabulary while still paying tribute to the masters. Walking in their shoes, then carving our own path. Same thing goes with speaking. For me, listening to some of the greats like Les Brown, Lisa Nichols, or Tony Robbins gets me charged up AND allows me to listen and learn at the same time. I love listening to audio recordings and watching videos of masterful speakers so that I can see how they do what they do and learn to craft my own style. I have my clients do the same. We create a list of their favorites and then study from then and with them on a regular basis!

Just like my comment above...you must practice your instrument while learning Jazz if you want to become masterful. Public Speaking is no different. You MUST practice on a regular basis, in a multitude of spaces and on a variety of stages in order to progress. Who can you offer to speak to today? Can you do a 5 minute live video in a FB group? Can you do a guest spot on a podcast? Can you do a 30 minutes free talk at the local rec center? Start small and then move your way up to longer talks and bigger stages. Practice interactive talks as well as just delivering material. And just like Jazz...learn to improvise, do some Q&A sessions or drop in to a speakeasy and JAM with some locals or put your virtual hand up at a LIVE audio event.

I always tell my clients...it wasn't a "failure", it was just a learning opportunity on how to do it differently next time. It's so important to learn to reframe situations from the negative to the positive. Plus, if we are out there presenting ourselves as motivational speakers, can it really be a failure in motivational speaking ? I mean...if you go share from your soul, make it about the audience and bringing them value and trying to lift them up...Even if only one person got a bit of a boost from your message...it's a Win! Plus, YOU DID IT ! You got up and spoke when thousands of other people don't have the courage to! If that isn't motivation for yourself, I don't know what is ?! Keep going for it!