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.
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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"Â 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.
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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.
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Every Friday, I meet with around 20 "Friday Friends,"Â 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.
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How about you? Are there fears you're holding onto that need to be faced? It's not too late.
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Watch for the blind spots.
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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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