A message from two recovered PWS

Hello Andrew,

When I see you, I see my self 3 years ago. A man in full control
and taking full responsibility of his life. Taking his stutter by
the horns and doing what ever he must to slaughter the beast.

Like you I used a technique to reach perfect fluency. I was
speaking at toastmasters speaking to strangers on the street and
phone. I had my stutter nailed. And we are roughly the same age.

Then one day I sat down and asked myself. What is the biggest
contribution factor to my change. Is it my technique or the fact I'm
out in the real world speaking to people.

You recall the story of Dumbo the flying elephant, he believed all
along that the only reason he could fly was because of his magic
feather. I believed the only reason I could speak was because of my
magic technique. And I had to follow the technique by the book and
then I would not stutter.

Like myself 3 years ago, you still have 1 fear remaining. And if
you follow your own program, and I'm going to quote your own words.

*Confronting all of my fears over and over.

If you wish to face your biggest fear. You need to leave your
technique and re-do all that you did. But this time with only
yourself and no safety net (technique).

I wouldn't be writing this message if I didn't think your charater
was up to the challenge. If your content in your comfort zone bubble
using a technique, then great. I'm explaining that it can be done.
And I believe you can achieve it too, just as I did (doing).

With a technique, your just that little split second slower at the
draw, compared with a good communicator. And that leaves you at a
disadvantage when you want to outwit, out argue, persuade and
convince people. Life is like a horse race with a photo finish. The
winner is not much faster than second place, its that little
fraction extra every time that makes the difference.

If you use a technique, you will only be as good as others. With no
technique you can be a better.

At the end of the day you and me are in the same boat, and its not
a case of right and wrong. I just wish to take the effort to write
to you and explain.

I fully understand what I'm writing here is very hard for you to
accept. And I'm asking you to leave your biggest comfort and
protection. Children carry a blanket, stutterers use a technique.

Last week I performed a 2 hour presentation, with no technique.
Last week I had dinner with 20 strangers and I was the king of the
party telling all the jokes and introducing everyone. This morning I
held several training sessions with my colleagues. All this with no
technique. I completely dominate the conversation.

Andrew you can drop your technique, and then you can fight with
both hands. Its complete freedom and its quicker too.

Regards,

Max Stringer.