Yesterday I talked about a really hard moment I had speaking. It was one of the worst in recent memory, and I let myself dwell on it for a few hours afterward. Not really completely getting me down, just in awe of how bad it was and what happened during and after.
What I’ve noticed on Facebook posts lately is people refer to having a “bad day” with regards to stuttering.
I’ve certainly been guilty of this myself, but I’ve changed my attitude in recent years. I don’t have bad days. I have bad moments. That’s it. A few minutes, an instance, an exchange. Nothing that should cloud the next question, the next conversation.
I think it’s so important to have this mindset. Since I’ve started this new job, there are discussions all day. Meetings all the time. I can’t let something at 9 a.m. cloud events at 11, 2 and 3:30. I’d be a total mess. And I have to talk when I have to talk. I’m not going to hide anymore.
I think one of the ways to keep moving on is to see your speech from your listener’s viewpoint. Especially at the office. They probably won’t dwell on it. They probably won’t say anything about it later that day, or week or month. So if they’re not thinking about it, then why are you?
What happens to me is that I might stutter hard with someone in the morning, and then have another meeting with them in the afternoon. I can’t be shy about speaking up if the need arises.
I get the bad moments it’s very hard to speak when something trigger you mind. I stutter as well so I know what you feel. Here’s a thing relax and breath. Try to pep talk yourself that you’re smart enough to deal with this. Try to control your tongue and speak to mirror as practice then try again if doesn’t works for the first 2 times and take break while speaking. If eye contact is scaring you look at them for a second the look at a wall , it can give you time to calm down.