Overcoming my fear of public speaking
Last month when I met with my editor, I expressed my nervousness with speaking in public. I have turned down TV interviews with CBC, CTV News and Canada AM, because of this fear.
My editor said that over the years, he has gained a lot of experience and can now confidently speak in front of any kind of audience – and I believe him! I watched a recent television interview he did, and he was absolutely calm, cool and collected. He suggested I join a local Toastmasters club. I’ve always thought of joining one, but it actually makes me nervous just thinking about speaking in front of a group like that – even though I know they’re there to be supportive and give constructive criticism.
When I was in University, I took a semester-long public speaking course. That helped, but it was only in front of 30 people at a time. In college, my program included public speaking, live on-air radio shifts, and live-to-tape television shows, all which I did with relative calmness. A part-time job I had back in my home town a few years ago had me speaking in front of 3,000-5,000 people at a time, and although it was only for 1-2 minutes each night, I sort of assumed that I had my nervousness under control because I could do that job just fine. And even though I’m nervous during job interviews, I have been told by multiple interviewers that I come across as confident, bright and professional. But when the TV interview requests started coming in, or I have to speak in front of more than 3-5 people, I found myself panicking! What gives?
I think this will really push me into doing something that I’ve always been afraid of. Not only will I become more confident speaking to the media, but I think it will also help me in my everyday life. I’m not great in large groups, and I’m generally regarded as being pretty quiet and maybe even a bit shy. It will also be interesting to see how having braces on will affect my confidence level, and if Toastmasters will help me overcome that as well.
Anyway, I found a group that meets once a week and I’m going to go sit in on a meeting in a few weeks to see how it is.
Has anyone else been a part of a Toastmasters club?
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I did for a few years back home and really enjoyed it. Aside from improving my public speaking, I learnt a lot just listening to other member's speeches on all manner of topics. Good luck with it!
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I have the same fear and was thinking about joining a Toastmasters club as well. Keep us updated if you do it!
Thanks for sharing this! Like you, I took public speaking in college and was relatively comfortable talking in front of small groups, and even used to be a tour guide at a museum. But since leaving school, I haven't had to do any presentations and my nerves have crept back up again. I had to give a talk to students at my former school recently and I found myself shaky, sweaty and talking WAY too fast. Toastmasters sounds like a good idea to get back into regular speaking.
Ryan did it for several months and HATED IT. He did it because he felt he needed to improve his public speaking, and fears, (same as you) and it did do that well. But he always dreaded the meetings and times when he was speaking. So it worked, but wasn't something enjoyable.
I honestly don't think I'm going to like it much either. I'm already dreading going to the meetings … but I think it's something I just have to do, even if I hate it.
My wife is a member of the James Bay Toastmasters and she loves it.
She has improved as a speaker and has been able to handle herself in interviews with Globe and Mail and CBC Radio.
If you can speak in front of that many people it should be no problem.
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I haven't been to a Toastmasters meeting, but really, exposure is often the key to conquering a fear. It seems that Toastmasters is a good way to ensure regular exposure to the thing you're nervous about, so I'd say give it a go :)
Heh – I've considered joining Toastmasters for years simply because I ENJOY public speaking. I get a thrill out of it (this may be why I ended up being a professor). For some reason speaking to 30+ people gives me a thrill – but having a 1-on-1 convo scares the crap out of me. Explain that one…
I definitely think you should go! Sounds like an awesome experience to help you overcome your fears!
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I admire you for trying it–even though I would be dreading every meeting. I was required to take Oral Communications in college and it was awful…it was one of the few C's I received in school.
I haven't been to a Toastmaster meeting but have many friends who swear by it! I'm pretty confident with public speaking but still took a course in University and learned a lot. Because this is a PF blog I just wanted to let you know that I'm pretty sure this a membership fee.
I wanted to ask you though – can you write a post about fixing your credit score? I read that you were in collections and I can't find much on how to improve. Help? :)
Yeah I did check out the membership fees, and they are really minimal. Plus, the expense can be written off through my side business. :)
That's a good post idea. I'll add it to my small list of article ideas. I think that's better suited to Moneyville, so I'll probably end up posting it over there once it's finished.