How To Trust Your Voice and Speak With Confidence Anywhere | Mariama Whyte | TEDxManitouSprings

Summary

This video transcript features a personal reflection on overcoming the fear of public speaking. The speaker shares her journey of battling anxiety, particularly in school, and finding inner safety and confidence through deep breathing, imagination, and seeking support. Drawing from personal experiences, she explains how creating a sense of home within oneself is crucial for self-expression. The speaker also highlights the importance of embracing one's voice and individuality, offering practical advice for anyone struggling with communication anxiety. The message is about growth, courage, and self-compassion in finding one's authentic voice.

Takeaways

• 🎶 The song 'It's Already Done' was written to comfort the speaker's younger self, encouraging her to embrace her voice and express herself fully.
• 💪 The speaker reflects on her younger years when she struggled with fear of speaking and being seen, yet reminds her younger self that she is strong and will overcome these fears.
• 🎭 Performing, singing, and acting were safe spaces where the speaker found freedom, helping to reduce her anxiety about being seen and heard.
• 🏫 In school, especially in advanced classes, the speaker often felt disconnected and struggled with expressing her ideas, even though she excelled in writing and other forms of expression.
• 🏠 The concept of 'home' is key, as it represents a safe, accepting place where one can be authentic and belong, both externally and within oneself.
• 📚 The speaker highlights how psychological safety—feeling safe to express ideas and make mistakes—is critical to authentic communication.
• 🌬️ The speaker emphasizes the importance of deep breathing as a grounding and centering tool for reducing anxiety and finding inner calm during stressful moments.
• 💭 Using imagination and visualization can create new, empowering mental pathways, enabling individuals to reshape their self-expression and overcome anxiety.
• 🤝 Seeking support from trusted individuals, mentors, or professional groups like Toastmasters can help build confidence and provide valuable feedback in overcoming communication fears.
• ✨ The speaker encourages everyone to find their own unique voice, reminding them that their voice, ideas, and feelings matter, and that home is found by knowing oneself.

Q & A

What is the primary theme of the script?

The primary theme of the script is overcoming fear, particularly fear of self-expression, and finding confidence and inner safety to speak and be seen.

Why did the speaker write the song 'It's Already Done'?

The speaker wrote the song 'It's Already Done' for her younger self, Mariama, to comfort her and encourage her to feel safe, confident, and to express herself freely.

What was the speaker's experience with public speaking growing up?

Growing up, the speaker struggled with public speaking due to fear and anxiety. She would sometimes stutter and feel extreme discomfort when speaking in front of others, particularly in formal settings.

How did the speaker overcome her fear of speaking?

The speaker overcame her fear by working with a speech therapist in college, which improved her confidence and self-awareness. Performing also helped her feel safer and more expressive.

What is 'psychological safety' as mentioned in the script?

Psychological safety, according to Dr. Amy Edmondson, is the belief that it is safe to speak up with ideas, concerns, or mistakes. It’s the confidence that one’s voice will be valued and heard without fear of judgment.

Why did the speaker feel disconnected in her advanced placement classes?

The speaker felt disconnected in her advanced placement classes because she was one of the few Black students in a predominantly white environment, which made her feel isolated and led to separation anxiety.

How did performing help the speaker cope with her anxiety?

Performing, whether singing, acting, or dancing, became a safe space for the speaker where she could express herself, take creative risks, and reduce her anxiety around being seen and heard.

What role does imagination play in overcoming fear, according to the speaker?

The speaker emphasizes that imagination can be a powerful tool in overcoming fear by helping people visualize positive outcomes and create new experiences, which can reshape their thoughts and behaviors.

What is the speaker’s three-part framework for finding inner safety?

The speaker’s three-part framework includes: 1) Deep breathing to ground oneself, 2) Using imagination to visualize positive outcomes, and 3) Seeking support from trusted individuals or groups to gain feedback and encouragement.

What message does the speaker want to convey about personal growth?

The speaker wants to convey that personal growth comes from embracing who you are, speaking your truth, and creating a sense of inner safety and confidence. Everyone’s voice, ideas, and feelings matter, and it’s important to nurture them.