Most people would rather die than speak in public - are you one of them? I was. Would you rather have the ground open up and swallow you than have someone ask you to say a few words or give your opinion? I know how you feel.
If I was chosen to give feedback in a workshop, for example, my knees would shake, my heart would thump like crazy and my mouth would dry up - my voice didn't sound too good either! Worst of all there was a little voice in my head telling me that I was going to make a fool of myself in front of my audience.
Where did the voice come from? Probably from several experiences from my school days but one I remember especially - I was asked to step in, almost at the last minute, in a dramatic production at high school and had very little time to learn the lines. I was certain before I went on stage that I'd not be able to do it - I had the worst stage-fright of my life and not only made a fool of myself, but mortified my parents into the bargain. After that I was convinced that I couldn't learn lines and hated speaking before an audience.
If only I'd discovered Toastmasters International in my teens.
I've been a member for seven years now - attending my local club and practising public speaking has become a hobby! Am I mad?? Eight years ago I would have thought so. Practising public speaking among other supportive people who are in the same boat is amazing. Getting feedback that moves me on and uplifts me is a revelation. Giving feedback to other club members to help them grow as speakers makes me grow too - one of the best moves I ever made was to screw up my courage and go to that first demo evening.
It's not that I no longer get scared - I do - but I've learned, and am learning, to control the nerves. A bit of adrenalin is useful, it keeps me focussed. I'm working on my gold award - we follow an educational programme in communication and leadership - and I've done things within Toastmasters that I thought I'd never be able to do. Most of all I've conquered my fear of speaking in front of my peers and learned to leap out of my comfort zone. And most surprisingly, I've learned that it's tremendous FUN!
Would you like to feel more comfortable speaking in front of others; to grow in confidence and perhaps even develop as a skilled public speaker? Visit the Toastmasters International website and see if there's a club near you.
If you're in the UK visit the District 71 website too.
I'd love to know if this post has been useful to you.
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