Hello Reader,

One question I think everyone has one their mind when they want to learn public speaking

“How long will it take me to become a good public speaker?”

Three months? A year? Fifty speeches?

My answer is usually: wrong question.

Public speaking doesn't have a graduation day.

I think the learning curve of a speaker follows five stages. I call it the SPARK Journey.

S — SEE: Get Curious

Every improvement starts when you notice something you cannot yet do.

Perhaps you watch someone handle a difficult question brilliantly. Or tell a story that makes an entire room silent. Or make people laugh without trying too hard.

Instead of thinking, “They're naturally good at this,” ask:

“How did they do that?”

Curiosity opens the next level.

P — PERMISSION: Believe You Can

At some point, curiosity needs to become belief.

Maybe a coach gives you feedback. Someone compliments a speech. You try a new technique and it works.

Something changes from “I'd love to do that” to “Maybe I can.”

Protect that spark. Learn two new techniques. Experiment. Give yourself permission to get better.

A — ACQUIRE: Build Your Toolkit

Now you deliberately learn.

Storytelling. Pauses. Structure. Humor. Facial expressions. Audience interaction.

But don't collect 50 techniques. Learn a few. Use them. Make them yours.

Knowledge without application is just a very full notebook.

R — REHEARSE: Raise the Stakes

Now speak.

Give the birthday toast. Volunteer for the team presentation. Speak at the town hall. Moderate an event.

And here's the important part: keep raising the stakes.

Once one room becomes comfortable, find a slightly more uncomfortable room.

Confidence grows when the challenge grows with you.

K — KEEP IT ALIVE: Teach

Then help somebody else.

Coach a colleague before their presentation. Help a friend with a wedding speech. Mentor a nervous speaker.

I can tell you honestly, I. became a better speaker when I started coaching other speakers. Teaching makes you examine things you may have been doing instinctively.

And then?

Go back to S.

Because suddenly you SEE something new.

A technique you haven't mastered. An audience you don't yet understand. A weakness you hadn't noticed before.

And the SPARK Journey begins again.

S → P → A → R → K → S…

That's why even experienced speakers are still learning.

You don't complete the SPARK Journey.

You simply go around it at a higher level each time.

So, when will you become a good public speaker?

Perhaps you already are one.

The better question is:

Where are you in your SPARK Journey—and what are you curious enough to learn next?