Public Speaking… Announcing the next official challenge!
If you have been following this blog for any period of time you will know that public speaking is my Achilles heel. After years of avoiding every opportunity to speak, not asking questions and feeling constrained, I have had enough!
It actually all started about 2 years ago when in a fit of frustration I decided to throw myself out there and get some public speaking ‘practice’. This included agreeing to things I would never have agreed to before like entering Miss Bondi (think parading in a bikini on a catwalk), and singing/playing guitar to a group of musicians.
Although I was happy I did it, both of these events were downright terrifying and my “yes” period quietly took a side door and disappeared into the night.
Recently with the book launch I found myself in the position again where I needed to face my fear or be disappointed in myself for not trying, so in the last 2 months I have taken a different approach…
I asked for help!
To start with I employed the services of an NLP/Public Speaking coach Chandell Labbozzetta from Life Puzzle in Melbourne. In the same week I had the good fortune of meeting Morgan and Mon from The Reelists.
In the course of conversation with Chandell she highlighted the need for a big challenge that would make the coaching worthwhile. This started to sound familiar! So after a couple of confronting days of soul searching and an equally confronting suggestion from Morgan, we devised a cunning plan.
The Goal
Before the end of March 2012 I will speak to a group of 200 people (or more!) and feel happy that I was able to communicate what I wanted to say.
Chandell upped the ante by declaring that her goal was that I wouldn’t even feel nervous!! I would love that to happen but it seems so far away right now!
The twist is that Morgan and Mon are going to film the whole journey and we will turn it into a video that we hope will help other people who suffer from a fear of public speaking too.
Isn’t that cool?!
Last week we started filming the first bits for the video. Lucky for me The Reelists are extremely patient with newbies. At least with this journey I am allowed to be uncomfortable while I learn and grow and I am sure we got plenty of bloopers!
I spoke for Travelogix recently and I can feel something changing already so I am very excited about this challenge. Being the kind of person I am whilst being so afraid of public speaking is extremely frustrating.
So there it is, this is the beginning of a new challenge, so please wish me luck!
I understand that public speaking is something that many people fear, if you are one of them I have a favour to ask. Please tell me what happens to you when you speak in public and why you think you are so afraid?
9:32 am
I will be reminded again on November the 11th. I will come back here and let you know exactly what it was like and whether I have “mastered” (if that is possible) it. It’s those flaming butterflies that set me off. They wreak havoc on my otherwise solid external display of cool, calm and totally confident. Butterflies make me weak in the knees and want to cry. hahaha It’s funny but not sometimes. I am afraid people won’t like me or get what I’m saying and everything is a complete failure. See you back here in 10 days. Enjoy the journey Serena.
10:31 am
Hey Maureen,
I totally get what you mean about crying!!
I am intrigued! Where are you speaking?
10:49 am
Haha I did it myyyyyy way. Just relaxing after last nights celebration with my family and I will email you and see if I can send you some footage my daughter took in between her attempt to stifle her laughter. Your piece here was timely and just motivated me to DO it and DO IT MYYYYY WAY! Lol
No regrets and it was perfect.
4:57 pm
Awesome! That’s so cool!!
3:24 pm
Have you thought about visiting your local Toastmasters club? For assistance, confidence & support – the programme can’t be beaten.
Good luck with your challenge – your determination will help you achieve the reality.
3:41 pm
Thanks!! I have joined toastmasters… I joined and went twice but the night co-incided with my Zumba class and I never went back! I will look for one that goes during the day.
10:55 am
Sending you empathy, Serena! Public speaking isn’t something that comes naturally to me, but has been something that I’ve worked at over the years and now feel confident doing.
When I lived in Chile, I took a class at uni on public speaking. At the end of semester, we presented to a packed auditorium of 500 people! It really rocked! Speech went fine, I was not TOO nervous! And public speaking has been easier ever since
My favourite place for practising public speaking is in the car wash. One of the few places you can speak loudly and uninterrupted!
3:21 pm
I love the car wash! How often do you get your car washed?!