Imagine this.

You’ve written a speech script so good, even Shakespeare would give you a slow clap. But there’s one tiny problem—you’re not sure if you can deliver it effectively. Suddenly, the confident, inspiring speaker in your head has been replaced by a nervous wreck who’s worried about forgetting everything mid-sentence.

One of my coaching students faced this exact challenge. It was the morning of an important speech contest, and he had put in a lot of effort crafting a wonderful script. But there was pressure—pressure to do it justice, or pressure to deliver it flawlessly!

Panic? Maybe a little. (Okay, maybe a lot.) But then I suggested one simple tip that changed everything.

I told him: "It's okay if you don’t deliver the script perfectly. The script is just a tool. What truly matters is your intent.”

That shift in focus was like a magic spell. Suddenly, the nerves melted away, replaced by clarity and confidence. Instead of obsessing over exact wording, he focused on delivering the heart of his message with conviction. And guess what? The speech went far better than expected! No mechanical delivery, no awkward pauses—just an authentic, powerful message that resonated with the audience.

So, what’s the takeaway?

When time is short, stop aiming for perfection.

Instead, get crystal clear on your intent. Ask yourself: "What is the one thing I want my audience to remember?" If you know that, you can speak naturally, adapt on the spot, and still make an impact.

So, the next time you're feeling underprepared, take a deep breath and focus on your intent. The words will follow.

And if they don’t? Just smile, pause dramatically, and let the audience think it was all part of the plan!!! I'm not just saying. I can prove this point. I was watching a podcast interview (speech contest enthusiasts should watch this. Highly recommended) by the 2024 World champion of Public Speaking, and she admitted that she forgot lines at some places in that speech, and yet she won. For example, at one place she used a stock line "It's true!." No one in the audience can catch it because no one in the audience knows the speaker's script!

Hope this helps. As always, thanks for being awesome. Pls let me know your thoughts. I'd love to hear them.

-Rama