Scared of speaking in public?

[Javier]

Many people, not only stutterers and ex-stutterers, are afraid of public speaking, but there is no need to continue fearing it. We can actually learn to enjoy speaking to groups of people.

Have you read Lee’s book, “Speech Anxiety to Public Speaking”? You can find really helpful advice there on this subject.

The SpeechMasters Club meetings that we celebrate every Saturday is the place to work on this. We’re pretty much like a family, and we all have that same goal. Of course, you don’t need to speak in these meetings, you can just be a listener. I’ve given a few talks in these meetings, and I can say that my fears are becoming less and less frequent and intense, and I can say that I’m not afraid of speaking to groups of people. Well, maybe if I was infront of 1.000 people, maybe yes, but definitely, a group of 20-40 doesn’t make me feel anxiety. I’m actually looking forward to being the speaker again!
Have you been to any of these meetings? What are your impressions?

[Anonymous]

Hi Javie,

I must admit that I did not enjoy the Speech Masters Club right in the beginning because while I was fluent in all other avenues, public speaking remained my nemesis.

After a couple of weeks attending the meetings, I now look FORWARD to the meetings. I cannot wait to socialize with all of the people who have gone through or who are still going through what I went through and conquered! It is a place where we all have the same goal, to kick public speaking’s butt. Each week we all show up, time and time again and we persevere.

I know that most PWS, PWSS and fluent people alike believe that public speaking is a skill that is not needed in life. Sure, you may not have to speak very often in public in your lifetime (if at all), but is it not the most powerful feeling to know that if you had to give a speech one day to 1000 people, that you would mesmerize them and not bore them to death, and all while having fun doing it!

I cannot wait to end a speech one day and be able to say “Wow, there was absolutely no fear doing that!”. Any day now, I can feel it!

[Javier]

Although I am able to control my anxiety quite well, even when I am the speaker at the SMC meetings, sometimes I get nervous. But the more we practice, the better we will get at it. It’s just a matter of practice.
And I’m really convinced that public speaking is VERY important, especially at work. Being a good speaker, to smile while speaking, showing enthusiasm are really important. And these qualities will make you prosper: your boss, colleagues, clients will like you more. If you and somebody else are the only two candidates to a promotion, and both candidates have the same qualifications, but one of them has the speaking skills that I’ve just mentioned, there is a very high chance that this person will get that promotion (sometimes this is true, even if this person doesn’t have as much training; it’s not the first time I see this happen).

[Anonymous]

I used to work with someone who honestly did not know half of what he claimed to, but he was so charming and charismatic that clients LOVED him. Even though he did not have as much experience or as many qualifications as others, he was very important in the company, because without clients, there would be no work. I always envied him and never thought for one second I could ever be like him. I am now proving myself wrong!

[Author]

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