We’ve all been there.Your throat runs dry. Your heart is leaping out of your chest. The only obvious cure to this overwhelming feeling is to make a quick getaway and hope your lunch stays down in the process.
The fear of public speaking is the number one fear in all of America. 74% of Americans suffer from public speaking anxiety, even surpassing the fear of death! It sounds dramatic, huh? Well, three months ago, I could easily say I would much rather stand in the middle of a 408 during rush hour traffic in downtown Orlando than stand up in front of my class and deliver a report.
I’ve never been too keen on being the center of attention. Ironically enough, friends describe my personality as outgoing and bubbly. But, when it came to public speaking my whole persona changed. I became loss with words and looked like a frantic mess. It must have started in high school after being verbally ripped apart by my teacher after a shaky performance of a final report. Ever since then I’ve tried everything possible to avoid situations that required me to speak in front of a group. I know, how lame. As a freshman I even chose a major that I thought would require the least amount of public speaking. This major also allowed me to take the general communication class verses the dreaded speech.
It wasn’t until sophomore year that I realized how unhappy I was. I felt as if I was always running from a fear that was constantly consuming me. Finally, by spring semester I made the change. I decided to change my major to something I’ve been passionate about all along, even if it required the MOST public speaking. I accepted that I would eventually have to take speech and give plenty of rigorous presentations. But I no longer wanted to be afraid.
This past summer, I enrolled in a speech course. And words cannot describe how nauseous I felt before the first day. I came into the class white faced and probably a few grey hairs from the stress of what I expected the first day might be like. To my surprise, the professor put me in such ease. She was so upfront with what to expect from the class, and expressed so much support she had for each and every one of us.
Our first speech was slowly approaching. And each day that came, the larger the pit in my stomach grew. I know this must sound so melodramatic, but 74% of Americans experience this. I have practiced my speech multiple times in front of my parents and in my mirror. It finally got to the point where I was so sick of hearing myself, and just ready to get it over with.
As the professor called me up to give my speech, I started to experience all the usual symptoms. I could barley hear my rehearsed thoughts over my pounding chest. However, to my dismay, past the first shaky minute of my presentation the speech I practiced religiously took over.
I had completed my first speech, something I have dreamed of for quite some time. And during a meeting with my professor after class, she had told me I was one of the strongest speakers in the class.
Over the course of the summer, more speeches were given. I noticed the anxiety prior the speeches began to diminish. Not completely, but the little bit of nerves kept me on my toes. As I started to become more comfortable with the crowd, I noticed the audience was genuinely eager to know more about my topic.
Yes, my heart continues to jump a bit when I’m required to introduce myself and speak in front of a crowd. But although I’m not completely cured, I know I can get through it because I conquered a fear that consumed me for six years.
Since I’ve already confessed my most embarrassing fear, I might as well add that I used to search the Internet for conquered anxiety success stories. However, I only found those boring “Public Speaking Anxiety” articles. I’m living proof that you will not go into cardiac arrest while speaking in front of a crowd. Taking public speaking this summer is the best possible thing I have ever done for my future and myself. This semester I am even enrolled in an upper level speech course as an elective. So to all of you who despise public speaking, and feel as if you’re not living to your full potential, take a speech course. You may conquer a fear.