Create 5 testimonials or referrals for people who have had an impact on your life. A testimonial is defined as a ‘formal statement testifying to someone's character and qualifications.’ While your testimonials can be professional in nature - for example, your accountant, coach, hairdresser, etc, our strong preference is that they are more personal, such as a childhood friend, teacher, or family member. This is your opportunity to share your feelings about this person.

The purpose of this activity is:

• To create something positive and inspirational.
• To share that inspiration with someone else and make them feel acknowledged and validated.
• To be generous.
• To identify characteristics that you admire in others.
• To begin using your voice publicly. 
• To share your feelings bravely.

The process of how to do the challenge:

1. Create your testimonial. Take the time to really think this through and share your honest thoughts and feelings.
2. Share publicly with the person you wrote about.  You can do this by posting your testimonial on their social media, giving them a LinkedIn recommendation, posting on a review website, posting on your own social media and tagging them, or reading out loud at a gathering. Let your testimonial be searchable when people look up that special person. This way, your gift of a testimonial lives on for that person.
3. Send this testimonial to your person in an email and give them permission to use any part of it if they’d like.  Often people are looking for testimonials that they can share on their websites or blogs.
4. Feel free to post in our group to help inspire others with this challenge.
5. When you have completed all 5 testimonials, you will submit your task to complete the challenge.

Create a blog post around your Mic Drop Message and then share this post either in a Blog, as a LinkedIn article, on your website or on social media. Use a personal story or anecdote to illustrate your message.

The purpose of this activity is:

• To hone in on your message.
• Begin to champion your message and put it out there confidently.
• To practise finding the right vehicle (story) to connect your message.
• To share your message with your community.
• To begin establishing your brand by having your message represented.

The process of how to do the challenge:

1. Craft a short story or anecdote that focuses on your message. Make sure your message is clear and ends powerfully.
2. Use authentic storytelling and a strong universal lesson to connect with your audience.
3. If possible, find an appropriate image to accompany your story in order to maximize views.
4. Feel free to post in our group to help inspire others and get feedback.
5. Upload your post to a blog, or on social media to make it searchable.
6. Share the feedback you receive in the Emerging Speakers Group.

Take this opportunity to create a new story connected to your message.  This is a personal story with your powerful universal message.  Share this story through video.  You can do a Facebook Live, Instagram Live, or share on YouTube.  The length of the share is irrelevant but keep your speech succinct and interesting. Less than 3 minutes is ideal.

The purpose of this activity is:

• To hone in on your message.
• To practice finding the right vehicle (story) to connect your message.
• To share your message with your community.
• To build your brand by having your message represented. Repetition is the key to brand awareness.
• To connect your face to your message and to connect more personally with your audience.
• Begin to feel comfortable on camera.

The process of how to do the challenge:

1. Craft a short story or anecdote that focuses on your message. Make sure your message is clear and ends powerfully.
2. Memorize your speech.
3. Share your speech on a Facebook Live, Instagram Live, LinkedIn Video or YouTube. (Note: Make sure to save the video on to your phone after doing a Live)
4. Feel free to post in our public group to help inspire others and get feedback.
5. Share the feedback you receive in the Emerging Speakers Group.

Part of living an inspired life means to continually surround yourself with inspiration. Meet people who are doing inspiring things.  Connect with likeminded people and fuel your soul!

The purpose of this activity is:

• To reflect over the things that are important to you.
• To find an event that aligns with your values and is meaningful to you.
• To give generously and put positive energy into the world around you.
• To build your relationships by connecting with the event organizers and participants and adding them to your network.
• To connect to people around you and build your community by sharing experiences with like minded people.

The process of how to do the challenge:

1. Choose an event to get involved with that aligns with your values and message.
2. Sign up.
3. Reach out to the organizer and make a connection prior to the event. 
4. Find people at the event that you can connect with after.
5. Send an email to the organizer after the event, thanking them and trying to make a valid connection.
6. Add the organizer and any participants to your social media.
7. Feel free to post in our public group to share potential events with your fellow Emerging Speakers.  Share about any positive outcomes.  Pro tip: when you share about an event, share why it was important to you or a valuable lesson you learned. This creates a conversation and avoids coming across as spam.
8. Share the feedback about your experience in the Emerging Speakers Group.

The core of the Emerging Speakers program is to create an Inspirational Speech that is constructed using the formula taught in class.  It must have a strong hook, a powerful personal story and a strong universal message. 

The purpose of this activity is:

• To demonstrate your understanding of how to inspire an audience.
• To have another opportunity to share your message.
• To find the best story or vehicle to deliver your unique message.
• To craft a speech that is engaging, entertaining and inspiring.

The process of how to do the challenge:

1. Begin with your powerful message.
2. Decide on the right story to use to support your message.
3. Craft your speech using a strong hook, powerful story and relevant universal close.
4. Feel free to post in our group to help inspire others and get feedback.
5. Share the feedback about your experience in the Emerging Speakers Group.
6. Speeches must be submitted below and be approved.

Now that you have completed your Inspirational Speech, it’s time to get on stage and shine.  Share your speech on a stage in front of a live audience of at least 50 people. This can be live or on video) or in person.

The purpose of this activity is:

• To share your story with an audience.
• To increase your visibility.
• To inspire the room with your message.
• To build your brand.
• To practise speaking in public. Immersion is the best way to develop your speaking skills.

The process of how to do the challenge:

1. Find an event and apply to speak. We will provide a list of potential places you can speak. You can also create your own event and invite people!
2. Practise and perfect the inspirational speech you wrote in class.
3. Speak at the event. Be sure to invite family and friends to support you.
4. Bonus if you can capture the speech on video!
5. Feel free to post in our group to help inspire others and get feedback.
6. Share the feedback about your experience in the Emerging Speakers Group.