This is what great software companies do: they release beta version of their software, then they ask for critics and improvements from its users. Then their software improve - with Beta 1, then Beta 2, and so on; and they finally release their software’s first stable version.

These software companies do something - like releasing their software’s Beta. Then they continuously improve their software. And I think this kind of improvement works good on us too.

from Wikimedia

Many people (especially perfectionist) never really do something well because they’re just thinking about it. A perfectionist-wanna be artist will never create any painting because they just draw sketch, and erase it, then draw again, then erase, and so on - they never really sure about what they do; they always think like there are always something to be improved. These people must know this: nothing is perfect, and anything - from Windows to Da Vinci’s painting, needs improvement.

If you’re a perfectionist like these people, and you’re the one who never speak in the stage because you’re not handsome enough, or you got cough, or other excuses - you must do this: first, just speak and go on that stage; second, improve yourself by looking into your weaknesses via audience’s point of view.

But how to know my weaknesses with audience’s eyes?

I will show you how.

1. What’s Your First Impression?

Something that made me remember to mention this point was Brendon Burchard’s video. It always show his smiling face first, then Brendon’s face came and then he spoke.

Yep, this “smiling face” is the first impression. It automatically gives an opinion inside audience’s minds. “Smiling face” first impression will tell audience that this person is fun to hear.

You can know your first impression by watching your speaking session’s video; or maybe you can just ask some people about what do they think about you when they first saw your face on the stage.

2. Are They Become Enthusiastic?

One of the best indirect method to know yourself via audience’s eyes is to look at their enthusiasm when you speak. Do they look sleepy? Do they look bored?

3. How Many People Who Raised Hand in The Q&A Session?

I previously recommend you to make a Q&A session after you speak, so you can hear people’s opinion about the subject you’re talking.

I know you will need to limit questions to keep the time short. But you can still look at how many hands raised when it comes to Q&A. Maybe you only allow 5 questions, when there are 20 hands raised. It means that there are at least 20 people who really pay attention to you - actually, it’s much more than 20.

4. Did They Laugh When You Joke?

Your joke - whether spontaneous or scripted, is an indicator to your speaking performance.

You know at least there are someone who are listening to you because they laugh when you joke. They do appropriate respond to your action.

Yeah, I know this isn’t a great indicator - maybe you have bad sense of humor so everyone didn’t laugh, even when they are listening to you.

5. Look at Yourself

This is why mirror created, and why water reflects our shadow - because sometimes we need to look at ourselves to see what wrong with us, before blaming others’ mistake.

You can practice public speaking at home, record it, then watching it the whole hour and become your own audience - critic yourself.

Those are 5 ways (or maybe steps, if you want to do them systematically) to look at yourself. Remember that you must do something, then learn from mistakes you’ve done - that’s the best way to improve anything.

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