The Gift of Persistence | Mukund Bhandari | TEDxYouth@TheWoodlands

Summary

In this inspiring speech, the speaker, who has struggled with stuttering since childhood, shares their journey to overcome public speaking anxiety. They recount traditional speech therapy, watching 'The King's Speech' for motivation, and the daily challenges of introducing themselves. The speaker discovered a speaking program in 2018 that led to a holistic approach to change, including proper breathing and posture, and a shift to a positive mentality. They embraced their challenge, spoke to over 3000 strangers to practice, and became a compassionate listener. The speaker introduces the ABCs of overcoming challenges: Acknowledge and Accept, Be Bold, and Consistency in practice. The speech concludes with a call to action to replace bad habits and face challenges head-on.

Takeaways

• 🗣️ The speaker, Bhandari, has struggled with stuttering since childhood, making public speaking extremely challenging.
• 🎬 Bhandari has watched 'The King's Speech' numerous times, highlighting the impact of stuttering on one's life.
• 😅 Stuttering can lead to uncomfortable social situations, such as being mocked or misunderstood, affecting one's self-esteem.
• 🚸 The simple act of introducing oneself can be a significant hurdle for those who stutter, often leading to feelings of embarrassment.
• 💡 Bhandari discovered a speaking program in 2018 that helped him embrace a holistic approach to overcoming his stutter.
• 🌱 He learned to breathe properly, improve posture, and adopt a positive mentality, which contributed to his progress.
• 🗣️ By engaging in conversations with over 3000 strangers, Bhandari not only improved his speech but also became a better listener.
• 🤝 Sharing vulnerabilities can encourage others to open up about their own challenges, fostering a sense of community.
• 🔄 Bhandari suggests the ABCs of overcoming challenges: Acknowledge and accept the challenge, Be bold in acting on it, and Consistently practice to make it permanent.
• 🏆 The speaker's journey illustrates that facing and acting on personal challenges can lead to personal growth and a more fulfilling life.

Q & A

What is the main challenge that the speaker has been facing since childhood?

The speaker has been facing the challenge of stuttering since childhood, which has made public speaking very difficult for him.

How long has the speaker been undergoing traditional speech therapy?

The speaker has been undergoing traditional speech therapy for more than seven years.

What is the impact of stuttering on the speaker's daily life?

Stuttering has impacted the speaker's life by making introductions, such as on the first day of class or a new semester, particularly challenging and sometimes leading to mockery or misunderstandings.

How has the speaker's experience with stuttering influenced his approach to public speaking?

The speaker's experience with stuttering has led him to seek out a speaking program that focuses on holistic reform, including proper breathing, posture, and a positive mentality, to improve his speech.

What significant change did the speaker make in 2018 to address his stuttering?

In 2018, the speaker found a speaking program that helped him to change his old habit of stuttering and replace it with eloquent speech.

How has the speaker's approach to his stuttering evolved over time?

Initially, the speaker wanted to hide his stuttering, but over time, he has learned to accept it and act on it with the support of friends and family.

What method did the speaker use to practice and improve his public speaking skills?

The speaker practiced by talking to strangers in malls, coffee shops, and on the streets, which helped him become more comfortable and eloquent.

How many strangers did the speaker talk to in less than 10 months as part of his practice?

The speaker talked to more than 3000 strangers in less than 10 months.

What is the significance of the speaker's interaction with strangers?

Interacting with strangers helped the speaker realize that he is not alone, and it made him a more compassionate listener as people opened up about their own challenges and shared their personal stories.

What are the 'ABCs' the speaker mentions as pragmatic ways to deal with challenges?

The 'ABCs' the speaker mentions are: A - Acknowledge and accept your challenge, B - Be bold enough to act on it, and C - Consistency in practice to make changes permanent.

What message does the speaker convey about portraying oneself on social media versus reality?

The speaker conveys that while people often portray themselves as perfect on social media, in reality, everyone has their own imperfections and challenges.