Standing before my class, I prepared to give a speech on why I should be class president.
Suddenly, all eyes turned to me, glowing red and laughing before I woke up from my
nightmare.
I read online somewhere about how you should imagine your audience naked. Then, it didn't
seem so funny, so even though I couldn't visualize that disaster of an imagination, the mere
thought made me smile, and I was smiling within. I blocked out my audience by
concentrating on the note before me and taking small pauses in between. But even then, the
nerves got the better of me.
I participated in school plays to gain confidence but ended up with a non-speaking role as a
tree. Due to my introverted nature in college, I mostly worked backstage for the annual
fashion parade. However, I learned that our education system encourages us to leave our
comfort zones with such events if only we dared to participate.
When I started working, I had to give multiple interviews, including a group discussion. I
spoke about an unpopular opinion to stand out, which got me through the gate. After that, I
gave several interviews for promotions and opted for training where I could participate. After
my first promotion, I led a new team and trained and motivated them with weekly meetings. I
enjoyed that process more and more, and that is where I found my calling.
Even after 20 years, I still get nervous speaking in front of a crowd. However, with online
meetings, I can easily express my opinions and deliver training virtually. Here are some tips I
would give my younger self when speaking in public.
- It can be helpful to approach it with the mindset of an actor performing for your
audience.
- To keep your listeners engaged, it's essential to focus on delivering content that is
interesting and relevant to your topic.
- Remember to pause throughout your speech to catch your breath and gather your
thoughts.
- It's also important to remember that mistakes happen to everyone, so don't let
slip-ups discourage you.
- Most importantly, enjoy the experience and don't worry too much about being perfect.
So go out there and start small, present to your church, your local community center, your
conversation classes, and your next team meeting, and step out of your comfort zone, and
only then will you see that all the anxiety was all for nothing.
