Let me get one thing straight, i have always hated speaking in front of an audience. Even if it was just my mum, my dad and my siblings i would always get scared. For one, i grew up with a stutter in my voice, i would always slur my words when i was reading aloud from a book, or just a reading. This got to a point when in assembly in primary school, i was too scared to speak in the thought of everybody laughing a t me that i had a panic attack.
Here is the thing though, i was never actually scared of speaking to others, i speak to my friends all the time and i never get laughed at. Sure, i was bullied in primary school, but everybody goes through hardships right? What i was afraid of was being, unloved, alone and humiliated. What i was afraid of was the concept of speaking and messing up my lines. I recently read “How To Become A Straight A Student” by Cal Newport, and in this book it has a whole section on public speaking. I had all these negative thoughts about public speaking that i never did it. Today, i finally broke that .
As stupid as it sounds, i had to give a 2 minute presentation on improving economic productivity,. But those two minutes changed my thought process. I never thought i could speak so clearly to a class without getting scared, my friend said the best thing “You sounded like you always do”. Hearing this, and knowing i can do this has allowed me to apply to be head boy of my school. There is a slim chance that i will be able to get this job, but knowing i have the capability to speak to a wide audience gives me the confidence to do it again.
Tomorrow i have to speak to a room of over 100 people, just the slight push out of your comfort zone can change your perspective completely. When you are afraid of something, look deep. It might not be the thing you are afraid of.
Anyway, wish me luck!
From My View 