Stuttering Hub

Failing is a Part of the Game of Life

Failing is a just a state of mind and nothing to to get your knickers in a twist about :-).

We might worry about not being good enough, or looking stupid in the eyes of others. Therefore we don't bother trying.

If you find yourself doing this often, then it's your choice. But let me ask you something...

Are you really worried about what others will think about you not getting something quite right? Or are you worried about your own reaction to yourself?

If it's the latter, then why not let your internal energy work for you, rather than against you?

As much as you might protest, you can change your way of looking at the situation.

Instead of choosing to worry about failing at a task, why not do something else? Why not devote your attention to attempting to do the activity, and for once just not be concerned about the consequences, just because you can?

Yes you can.

Just make the choice. It really is as easy as this.

And the more you do this, the more you will learn that the imaginary consequences that kept you from doing things in the first place, was just that - fantasy.

 

Life Can Never Be That Bad

You could lose everything in the world. It might be your home, your job, your car, your friends, and the clothes on your back.

There is one thing you can never lose - it's your stammer.

No one can take this from you.

Here's to a Fruitful Week

Yes, it's Sunday night, and tomorrow morning is the dreaded Monday - the most detested day of the week.

Well, only if you let it be.

No change in your lives is going to happen without doses of the right attitudes.

Instead of thinking about how you can get to the end of the week as fast as possible, ask yourself "How can I make my life, and the lives of those around me more richer this week?"

An Inspirational Person

I met a man last night at a public speaking event.

From the moment he began to speak, I knew there was something special about him. He was smiling. He was confident. He was cheerful. His speech was about how inspirational his deceased father-in-law had been to him.

He was a rare type of person. I don't meet to many people like that.

I told him over a drink how impressed I was with his attitude. He explained that it started when he lost 4 friends in a tragic accident a number of years ago.

He made the decision to always face his fears, to give things ago, no matter the outcome. He had the ability to. His friends didn't. They weren't here anymore.  But he was.

Yes, you might stammer. But you're still here.

What can you still do despite your stammering?

Don't say "nothing", because I won't believe you.

Don't Let Talent Stop You

Or lack of it to be precise.

You don't really need it to be honest.

This is not to say it doesn't help. Many people are 'naturally talented' or gifted at a particular skill or activity. Some people are just natural singers for example. You might have your own talent.

But to not even try, and use the excuse of "I'm not talented enough", is ridiculous.

And if someone else tells you you can't do something (or they can't) due to lack of natural ability, it's a lie. Don't believe it... even for a second.

Becoming A Confident Stutterer

Stammering is a speech problem... no doubt about it. Sure, improving fluency is great. Especially for people who had little fluency in the first place.

However, what is more relevant to improving the quality of life of a person who stammers, is developing confidence. I believe people who stammer need more confidence building therapies. We can still stammer a lot, but developing confidence will slowly cancel out the effects of blocking.

Confidence comes from doing things. The more we do, the better we become, and the more confident we are.

No More Doormats Please

Are you always apologising for your stammering?  Are you always saying the word 'sorry'? Do you constantly find yourself sorry about some thing or another?

Being sorry for something, when you've genuinely made a mistake is fine. We all make mistakes. We say sorry for the blunder, learn from it and move on...

It's when we're constantly saying sorry for merely existing, it's not right. You're not a doormat who constantly has to apologise for other people's issues. You're a human being with every right to voice your opinion, and do what you want... just like any other person out there.

Stop it.

And if you're finding it hard, then just imagine being a red carpet instead of a doormat! Would you still be saying sorry?

Worse Than A Stutterer

It was always going to be a difficult one to beat.

But, there is a worse excuse than a stutterer blaming everybody else for his/her problems - Ashley Cole blaming his mother-in-law for his infidelity!

Using Your Initiative

Stuttering has a funny habit of making us not want to do much. We become overcome with fear, so we just don't try. Nothing really new here.

In our inaction, we just go with whatever life throws at us. Usually we end up following the crowd. It's safe to do so. That way we can hide and not be noticed. No need to take responsibility for anything.

Just for once, be noticed. As you do, you'll realise it was never that bad. Take the plunge and walk the path you've always wanted, with your head held high. It will be exciting and frightening at the same time.

Pretty soon, the crowd you always followed, might end up following you.

Why Speaking Less Can Be Good

A person who stutters usually speaks far less than a fluent person.

Below are a some reasons why this isn't necessary a bad thing:

1. Speaking less means our mouths and vocal cords get plenty of rest.

2. Not speaking that much means we appear calm and attentive.

3. We can give our ears more exercise because we will be listening far more.

4. It gives us a reason to be flamboyant with our body language.

Who said we need to speak more?