When it Comes to Sharing Your Message, are You a Diamond or a Pebble?

I’m Not Perfect. I Should Probably Just Keep My Mouth Shut.

In today’s digitally enhanced and Photoshopped world, everyone seems to be perfect. Not only do they look great, but they sound good too. TV lawyers never make a mistake during their closing argument and Ryan Gosling always knows just the right thing to say at the end of the movie to get the girl.

Everywhere you turn people look perfect, sound great and act amazing. I don’t know about you, but sometimes finding the courage to stand up and be noticed can be a bit intimidating.

Why even try? We can never be as good or perfect as “that guy”.

Well, here’s the question I’d like to ask…

Who in the hell conditioned all of us to think that perfection is real and should be the norm or standard we need to strive for?

Look, the fact of the matter is that each and every person you look up to, without exception, is far from perfect. All have flaws, insecurities and self-doubt.

That doesn’t make them bad, imperfect or anything else that’s negative. It just makes them human beings like you and me. And that’s what makes all of us special.

As soon as you can become comfortable with yourself and embrace your very own uniqueness, you’ll begin to stand out and become a much better communicator. People will see and appreciate the real you. The real person sharing his or her own unique message.

If you’re message moves your audience of choice, then you’re a good communicator. If your message results in a sale and long term relationship, then you’ve done your job as a communicator.

Your message doesn’t have to be a perfect fit for everyone. It just has to be the right message — or song– for your very own and specific audience.

When I’m trying cases, I’m molding and shaping a message that’s hopefully perfect for my audience of 12 people sitting in the jury box. It really doesn’t matter what their family, neighbors or news media make think after the trial. All that matters is what my 12 member audience feels and believes and the verdict they give.

I craft, focus, and deliver my message, my own and very special off-key song, to my 12 person audience. You can do the same thing.

Want to know what I think perfection is when it comes to communicating? I think it’s all about taking a chance to connect with your own unique audience. It’s all about properly preparing and then making a genuine and sincere effort while speaking from the heart. It’s about doing the very best that only you can do.

Good communicators know this. They don’t try to be someone else. They don’t let other people define what being perfect is. They do the homework, put in the effort and present their message with enthusiasm and from the heart.

Define perfection for you. Don’t let anyone else do this for you. Know yourself and know your audience. Stand up and sing your song as only you can do. Be a diamond, flaws and all.

“Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without”  – Confucius