Public speaking has never come naturally to me. In high school, I barely made it through a speech class. After a short stint in college, I joined the Marines. In the military, I accomplished things I never thought possible. I earned the title of Honor Man of my boot camp platoon and became a leader in every situation. Despite moments of fear in Vietnam, my training kicked in, and I knew what to do. I was fortunate to return home safely after 13 months of service.
Once back home, I returned to college and found myself in freshman English. When it was my turn to give a book report, I felt as anxious as I was in combat. My adrenaline surged as if I were engaged in a firefight or being shelled. Standing at the lectern, my hands shook, and my voice quivered. It was a disaster. Worse yet, my older brother's friend was in the class, and I was sure he would report my failure. I was so nervous that the audience appeared to see me as about to "tump" over. I was shaking like a stop sign in a hurricane, and so were they. After what seemed like hours of stumbling through this ordeal, trying to put a few coherent words together, I sat down, covered with sweat and overwhelmed by the experience. Words pale to describe that encounter.
For years, every time I was asked to speak, I would relive that dreadful moment, and the adrenaline would return. But about a year ago, I joined Toastmasters, which changed my life.
Every Friday, I meet with around 20 "Friday Friends," a fantastic group dedicated to improving our public speaking skills. The encouragement and constructive feedback I receive inspire me to participate eagerly, whether I'm speaking or taking on other Toastmasters roles. It has become a highlight of my week, pushing me to confront my fears and continue growing, even at this stage of my life.
How about you? Are there fears you're holding onto that need to be faced? It's not too late.
Watch for the blind spots.
Get a copy of Blind Spots in Relationships. Discover the hidden behavior that could be holding you back from the relationships you desire. http://tinyurl.com/yc3usfsp
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