From the time we are born it’s all about numbers. Weeks of gestation, time of birth, ten fingers & ten toes, pre-K at 3 years, Elementary school at 5, SAT score, GPA, Driving age, voting age and so on. Anything outside of the normal number can be questioned and can be unsettling for some weak-minded and less adventurous folk.
I had not pondered over this much, as I’m sure neither have most of you, BUT it struck me recently as a key factor that could liberate or bind our being. Liberate, as it allows us to accomplish milestones; bind/restrict in cases where actual intelligence is higher than the norm.
I have often been approached by parents, mostly conscientious, sometimes anxious and maybe zealous, with the question, “How old does my child have to be to start developing Public Speaking/Appearance skills?” Guided by the norm, my suggestion was “at least nine years old”. Last year I met a young successful entrepreneur mother who insisted that her eight year old was ready for my classes. I must confess, somewhat reluctantly, I concurred. That was a revelation.
That eight year old that I was hesitating to include in my classes was such a quick learner. He got what I coached and aptly delivered what I asked for. It was a lot that I had worked on with the class- content prep, posture, eye contact, body language, humor, audience analysis, timing. This subject is so vast and limitless. When it was time to face the audience, this little fellow blew my mind. He was really as good as his older peers, if not better. His confidence and deft application of all we had touched upon in class could probably outshine some of the adult students.
Now when someone asks me what the right age to learn this craft is, I smile, for I have learnt that age is a number and a good number at that. This number doesn’t restrict us. We self- restrict. We create boundaries and limits. It’s never too early or too late to learn a skill. Yes, I’m talking to the professional folk who feel the need but are very conscious of learning at “this age”. Why waste time pondering over the question “Am I too young or am I too old to learn?” Each day, each experience, each interaction, when fully indulged in, can be a new lesson, a new skill or a new memory. I tell myself and I tell my kids (blah blah blah- is what they probably hear); do not judge yourselves, do not assume the right to judge others, DO NOT FEAR BEING JUDGED!
Our imaginary fears and limits cripple and stunt our growth as an individual and as a professional. Be Fearless!
As Dr. Bernard M. Baruch said ~ “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.”
