3 Keys to Creating YOUR Transformational Talk! | By Lynda Monk

Providing a transformational talk that resonates with your audience and serves their needs will help you stand out not only as a speaker, but also as a leader in your field. In order to speak our talk, we first have to write our talk—in ways that allow us to be truly authentic.

There are many tips to writing and crafting a talk that will offer transformation to your audience—and here are three of my favourites.

3 Key Writing Tips to Create Your Transformational Talk

Tip 1:  Get Really Clear on Your Core Message

Take some time to journal or write about the core of your message. Ask yourself these questions:

• What is your core message?
• How do you want to impact your audience?
• What transformation do you want them to experience?
• What is your own turning point story?
• What can your story teach others?

Do some reflective writing in response to these questions and see how these answers inform the content of your transformational talk.

Tip 2:  Breathe to Relax and Connect Deeply with Yourself

Writing begins with the breath. When we relax it helps us write and when we write in our authentic voice, it helps us relax.  Engaging in mindful breathing (breathing with awareness) while you write helps you open, soften, relax and listen within for what wants to be written, for what wants to be said. Ground and centre yourself both before and during writing your talk.

Breathe… inhale, pause and exhale. Write.

Tip 3:  Write about your Feelings

As a speaker you are here to teach or share a message, and the best messages (teachings) touch our hearts in some way.  In order to create emotional resonance with your audience, you have to feel an emotional connection with your own story and message. Ask yourself:

• What is at the heart of what I want to say?
• How do I feel about this?
• What really matters?

Take some time to write into the heart of what it is you are here to teach, to say – write it down for yourself first, then focus on what matters, and turn it into the heart of your talk. Go beyond the core content and into the heart and emotion of your message.

Allow the transformational power of language, stories and personal narrative to inform your unique voice (message) on the page - and on the stage. Writing and speaking are two different skill sets, both of which can mutually support us to be the best we can be as leaders and change agents, as people who make a difference with our words. The clearer you are about your message, the easier it is to find the right words and stories that will help you to truly write a talk that can inspire, inform and transform people's lives.

Write. Speak. Lead. Transform. Shine on, Lynda

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Contributing Author:

Lynda Monk, MSW, RSW, CPCC, is leader of The International Association of Journal Writing, an inspiring membership community for journal writers worldwide. She is known for her profound insights into the therapeutic and life-changing power of journaling. Through her dynamic speaking engagements and educational sessions, she inspires individuals to harness the power of writing to heal and transform their lives.

Lynda is the co-editor and co-author of several books including Affirmations for Self-Love – a guided journal; The Great Book of Journaling; Transformational Journaling for Coaches, Therapists and Clients; and Writing Alone Together.  She co-authored, along with creativity coach Eric Maisel, BE A GREAT COACH! A Guided Journal for Coaching Mastery & Success. They also co-created The Art of Journal Coaching, a comprehensive training program especially for coaches, helpers and others who want to make a difference with journaling.

Lynda is Registered Social Worker and Certified Professional Co-Active Coach, with 30+ years’ experience in the areas of burnout prevention, self-care, resilience and writing for personal growth. You can learn more about her work at IAJW.org and lyndamonk.com. Click here to access her FREE gift and Journaling Museletter for ongoing inspiration >>

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