I wrote a speech a week for 13 YEARS.

Here is what I learned

Writing is hard! Speaking in public is a nightmare!

Yet it’s something everyone should learn and everyone should do.

That’s all feelings every writer and speaker makes. But it’s doable. I would argue that it’s a life skill—something we never finish learning. So I wrote and gave a speech a week for 13 years. Here is my experience.

Author, psychologist and speaker Jordan Peterson says about writing: “People who spend time writing carefully about themselves become happier, less anxious and depressed and physically healthier. They become more productive, persistent and engaged in life. This is because thinking about where you came from, who you are and where you are going helps you chart a simpler and more rewarding path through life.”

This passage speaks to me and reflects my own experience in so many ways. Yet writing is so hard. It requires so much effort, concentration, energy and thought.

It is hard to know the grammar and write correctly.

It’s hard to express thoughts.

And I often wonder how many people have this habit? Do people do that: Sit and write?

If not, it would be the most critical thing we can start doing right now. How many personal stories, how many insights, how much knowledge and life experience just remain unspoken and unheard. Everyone has a story to tell. And there is something to be learned from each experience. We have the technology to write and, most importantly, make everything searchable. We can capture and organise human knowledge for the next generations. And I think we should. In addition to that, the personal benefits of writing are obvious.

Writing and holding a speech are not the same but very similar. Learning what I wrote and remembering what I put to paper happens through speaking it out loud. Holding and giving a speech is an entirely different beast of a job equally complex. Combining them, in my experience, is helpful.

Of course, not all writing is intended for speech because writing a speech is different from writing for someone who will just read it. But, having to give an address force you to write even when you don’t want. It forces you to finish the script, the speech, the lecture, and the thought that otherwise might not be finished.

Since I started to work as a minister of religion, I had to do both, frequently more than just once a week. I was writing for different publications in different formats. Sometimes more academic, journalistic or reporting about an event. Other times I was writing a thoughtful speech to touch hearts and minds. In my case, this never came to me easily—neither the public speaking part nor the writing.

I remember at school; I was terrible at both. And for a long time, I had a problem with it. Some kind of imposter syndrome. But putting myself into a particular setting gave me the necessary boundary to keep doing it, repeating it and getting better at it. So that is my number one thought of this video:

Set the scene!

That’s one of the most important lessons. You will if you have to. Often there is a different pressure involved. It’s very different when I have a deadline and need to write or finish something versus I want to, and it would be nice to write that story. So, if you wish to be better at writing and speaker, say “yes” to opportunities to do so. There are so many ways you could do that. Volunteering is a great way. Volunteer to write an article in your community group, the internal newsletter, or your local publication. And say “yes” to speaking opportunities. Not to show off, network and get something out of it other than simply giving the best speech you can. At a birthday party, wedding or family celebration. How often is there an awkward silence when the question is asked if anyone here would like to say a few words?

Make a habit out of writing

Having a deadline is essential too. Writing a speech a week was, for me, a process. It became a habit. That’s the second thought. Make a habit out of writing. In my case, every week. In your case, it could be a weekly newsletter. A weekly video. A weekly meetup. Whatever it is: It has to be regular. Because if it is, we form a process around it.

In make case, at the end of the 13 years, I had a clear structure for the week: Around an hour a day for Two- Three days, read around the topic I was supposed to talk about, making notes and doodles. Another day of more intense research and one day of writing the speech. Rehearsing one day and giving the address the next day. The dream. Of course, sometimes it was not like that. Other commitments made it hard to keep that structure, but I still would aim for it. It was the result of a long learning process I am sharing with you.

During those 13 years, I had all kinds of experiences. I remember once writing and finishing a speech an hour before my speaking engagement. Packing up, rushing out and when I got there, opening my bag, I realised I did not have that speech with me, it was in the printer. Total blockage. Blank slate. What did I write? What did I want to say? I did not rehearse it. I did not read through it a second time, nor did I memorized any of the points. Horrible.

I gave the speech, and it was not good. But an experience like this ends up in a meaningful conclusion. I will never put myself in that situation again. Embarrassing!

Other times, I lost pages or got the order wrong after it fell on the ground. I read quotes I did not understand. Or I did just read and did not hold a speech. I am terrible at grammar. Yet many mistakes can be omitted and jotted out if you carefully read through a few times.

At the end of it, I never felt like I’m done. I am NOT great at writing and speaking. But, for me, it feels somehow just the same. I am still excited when it’s time to hold a speech. I still think the article could be better, or it’s not done, or it has mistakes I did not see or is not good enough.

I could do better.

Frequently I am still not happy with the outcome. But I have a deadline. I have Nr. 1. Set the scene. And I have an Nr. 2 Habit that helps systematically. That’s what I learned from a speech a week for 13 years. Set the scene and build a habit. Make it necessary for you to write and to speak, and that’s how you keep consistent, get better and improve over time.

Check out the Video based on this script: