This morning, I was interviewed by the President of Oporto Toastmasters in Portugal. He asked me a fairly interesting question that made me realize why some speakers are so good, while others are only so-so. Here’s the question he asked:

Even the most advanced speaker has challenges and can improve in some area. What is the public speaking challenge you are working at right now?

It’s not the question per say that got me thinking. It’s the first statement he made.

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TO ALL MOTHERS WHO ARE READING THIS: HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!! *HUGZ*

If you have not wish your mum a happy mothers’ day, please do so right now. No no, this entry can wait. Go on.. wish her. Make sure you give her a big hug and tell her how much you love her. In fact, you should do it everyday because they deserve it.

Clockwise from left: Eileen (my sister), Dad, really beautiful Mum and my girlfriend, Yiting.

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It was really awesome to be on live national TV and to be sitting so close to Suzanne and Dominic whom I have been watching from my TV set for the past one year. The highlight of the morning has to THIS! (scroll down to see the photo)

I was grinning away like a thirteen year old schoolboy for the entire day… even now.

Ok you must be wondering - what’s the occasion?

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Hear ye! Hear ye! Andrew and I have been invited again to the local radio station (938LIVE) for another live interview with Melanie Oliveiro. She is the anchor of F-CUBE: Food, Fun & Feel Good, a lifestyle oriented radio show that is highly popular with Singaporeans, young and old.

We have yet to get the questions from Melanie but I do know that the talk will be on The FAQ Book on Public Speaking and our after thoughts. So if you are in Singapore, come join us for a chill out session! Click here to listen live.

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Ok I lie. There isn’t one. Or at least no one has outwardly claim to have the formula, not even the past winners of the Toastmasters’ International Speech Contest.

However, many speakers have sought to find that elusive formula by reviewing the past speeches of the champions. As it turns out, it all boils down to how well your audience can relate to your message and your stories. Since the audience varies (so do the judges), it is really hard to put a finger to a winning formula… which brings us back to the question.

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Most people commented that it was a very noble thing of me to generously share speaking tips at The Public Speaking Blog. However some think that I am foolish to do that since I could have make money out of it.

I wish I can be self righteous and tell you that I don’t mind because I am here to save the world. But sadly, I can’t.

For those of who you did not know, The Public Speaking Blog was created out of SELFISH reasons. Yes, S-E-L-F-I-S-H reasons.

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Once in a while, I like to get opinions from experts around the world. Even if you like chicken rice a lot, it is nice to occassionally indulge in a plate of indian rojak (or salad). Today’s post is one such indulgence.

I chanced upon Chris’s website many months ago and found some of her public speaking articles to be funny and yet point-blank direct. On top of being a professional speaker for eighteen years, Chris was also wildly active in Toastmasters, Ohio Speakers Forum and National Storytelling Network. Let’s hear what she has to say about the following questions.

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We all have our favorite sites that we visit daily. Scott’s blog is one of them. The theme of his blog is Personal Development. What I really like about his blog is his straight-to-the-point content and commitment to his readers. There is always some gem to mine out of every article he writes.

Last month, I casually asked if I could interview him on the topic of public speaking and Scott being Scott, agreed wholeheartedly.

Let’s hear from the man himself!

1. How do you overcome your fear of public speaking (do you have it in the first place??)

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