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How Being Uncomfortable Can Improve Your Speeches

Stories of discomfort can be
both relatable and endearing

In the first episode of their Pixar Storytelling Rules series, Bloop Animation discusses one of the more popular arc narratives -- a character finding himself outside of his comfort zone -- as exemplified by Woody of Toy Story 1 and Ratatouille, the murine protagonist from the film of the same name.

This type of story works well because -- while we as people generally enjoy feeling comfortable, we can easily identify with what it feels like to find oneself thrust into a new and unfamiliar situation, often where the skills upon which we have come to rely are either less effective or stretched to their limits. Retelling personal stories of this nature can also provide an opportunity for self deprecation, a technique which exposes vulnerability and can help a speaker endear oneself to their audience. So next time you're looking to include a narrative in your speech, look for opportunities to share your own less than comfortable experiences.

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