Public Speaking: Phobia or Friend?

I absolutely love public speaking! I used to be scared out of my wits to do this particular activity, though...my knees would wobble, my neck would turn new shades of red or purple, I'd lose my breath, and I'd read my lines, hoping and praying that I wouldn't mess up because I was so nervous. Public speaking just wasn't my thing. I totally dreaded the thought of speaking to an audience. Whether it was a small group of three, or an audience of 300, I would work myself into a dither beyond ridiculous.

At the time, I thought surely I must be the only career professional around who harbored such fears. What I didn't realize was that a whole slew of people shared my particular fear. As a professional, do you enjoy public speaking or are you afraid of it? And if you are afraid of it, the question you might wish to ask yourself at this time in your career is this:

what, if anything, can I do to address my fear of public speaking?

For sure, I don't know what will work for you; I can only share with great conviction what worked for me in reconciling my fear of public speaking.

Speak! That's what I did. Speak! Face your fear and start speaking. It's as simple (and complicated) as that! Shortly after starting my business, I joined Toastmasters International and I can tell you, it truly changed my life for the better. While I savored what I learned in graduate school, it simply did not have the life-changing impact that Toastmasters did for me. I recall the first night I ever attended a Toastmasters meeting. I went home and told my family that while I had enjoyed the evening, I wouldn't be going back, thank you very much. "Those people are all polished professionals." I didn't feel like I fit. When the next Monday night at 6:00 P.M. rolled around, I begrudgingly found myself back at Toastmasters. I was an active member, contributor, and competitor for 11 years and indeed, I learned a lot about myself and more importantly, I learned how to speak.

It was a bittersweet ending to my Toastmasters career. I remember that sunny Fall day, driving to a Hospice house to say good-bye to Charles, a dear friend from Toastmasters. As we were reminiscing about our TM times, I told him I was thinking about stepping away from it all and moving on to other things. Much to my surprise, he quietly whispered...Well, if you haven't learned to speak by now, you're never going to. Charles died; I never went back to Toastmasters. And I never look back on that experience with anything but gratitude and fondness for all that my Fellow Toastmasters taught me. And thanks to Charles, I have just kept looking forward...I absolutely love public speaking.

posted by: billiesucher

Comments

[Malcolm Chlan]

There have been studies done on public speaking and it's effects and many people would rather die than get up in front of a group of people and speak. It is like riding a bike. Once you do it a handful of times and get the hang of it things just get easier.

[Tim]

Billie:

Great post. I've been a member of Toastmasters for almost 5 years and have gone from someone terrified of speaking to someone who is comfortable. I know I have room to improve - and this keeps me coming back. I might add to your readers that Toastmasters is a great tool for the job search - it helped me in the interview process (if I can craft a 5 to 7 minute speech about anything, I can easily craft a 1 to 2 minute response to "Tell me about yourself") and in networking. My only regret: not joining sooner.

[Clare]

This is all so true. It's fear of not having done it before, or of clamming up before an audience. But preparation and practice are the keys to good public speaking. I've often had to give presentations in a foreign language (and coach others whose first language is not English). It's easier if you rehearse enough times to know where your weak areas are, where the words are difficult to pronounce or easy to trip over, and where you need to pause. The more often you do it, the better the speech or presentation becomes.

[billiesucher]

Malcolm, for sure practice makes it easier. And as it relates to looking for a new job, practicing Tell Me About Yourself about 20 or 25 times, makes a huge difference in getting the conversation started on a positive note. Thank you for your comment.
- Billie

[billiesucher]

Tim, I wish someone had told me about Toastmasters earlier in my career as well. There is no finer organization than TM to help you master speaking if you are motivated to do so. Plus, there are so many side benefits beyond speaking....leadership, parliamentary procedure, organization, confidence-building, networking, to mention a few. Good points you make and thanks for posting!
- Billie

[billiesucher]

Clare, excellent thought about rehearsing enough times so you know where your weak areas are...good tip - thank you. Sometimes the weak areas don't come in the form of subject matter necessarily...it could be other things like too many um's and ah's, disorganization, or other little distractions.
- Billie

[John]

It's all about practice, practice and more practice. Look at the amount of practice the top golfers, Tennis players etc have to perform.

The more practice the better you will shine.

Don't worry about your audience, they all started life the same as each and every one of us and we will all end it the same way, these two aspects of life everybody has in common.

[billiesucher]

Good point about not worrying about your audience...practice until you get comfortable and go for it. Smile and have some fun along the way! Thank you John.
- Billie

[4 myths about public speaking]

I have been studying on how to speak normally in public cause i have some trouble in it.

[ghd straighteners]

Tomorrow is another day , should have new features.

[New Era Hat]

Tomorrow is another day , should have new features.