What would you say if you knew that I fall within the 70%-96% of people who experience the fear of public speaking?
Not just a little, but a lot.
What would you say if you knew that my anxiety level ranks moderately high to very high depending on the speaking scenario?
(I took an assessment, I’ll share it if you want)
What would you say if you knew that I regularly experience symptoms like;
–losing sleep the night before a speech
-feeling uncomfortably anxious as I wait to give my speech
–trembling hands, racing heart and excessive sweating
–forgetting facts, I really knew during the speech
I experience post-speech effects like disappointment, depression, and frustration.
–I have to write and rewrite over and over again
–that I get frustrated and teary at things like not nailing my intro
– that my husband has had to talk me “down” from backing out of a talk or presentation more times than I want to admit
It’s been hard to admit because public speaking is my job, my business, and my passion.
I’m passionate about speaking because I spent years of watching people struggle with losing their ability to speak.
For over sixteen years, I watched patients struggle, and I felt their pain.
I sat with the loved ones as they cried over, not being able to talk to mom, dad, brother, sister, child like they once used to.
I speak because I’ve dedicated my life to helping people who can speak, do it well.
We don’t have time to waste.
I don’t want a single person in this world, myself included, to not say what they need to say, to say what they want to say because of fear.
I’m telling you that because I want you to know that I understand what it’s like to be scared to speak.
I understand the feelings of anxiety, overwhelm, and fear that comes with speaking.
I understand the pain of nasty comments on the feedback sheets, nasty comments to my face and going home deflated and exhausted.
I understand what it’s like to try, fail, and never want to do it again.
I understand what it’s like to get up and do it anyway because someone needs to hear what I have to say.
I understand, and I’m here to help.
PS
If we’re ever at an event together and you’re feeling anxious, come sit by me.