Overcoming the fear of speaking in public Essay Example for Free

Overcoming the fear of speaking in public Essay I heard several stories of how it was like speaking in public for the first time. While some would be tongue tied for the first few moments and stare in to a blank space, others knees would simply give way to the painful fact that no force would blow them away or hide them from the drowning gaze of their audience. My experience was in no way different from theirs. I had resisted and vehemently opposed every attempt to bring me to speak before the congregation of my local church. ‘I am not good at debating,’ or ‘I got the information late, so I could not prepare’ were among the several excuses I would bring up whenever I was enlisted for any debating competition in the church. But this day, I was ‘shoed’ to the front by my mother to give a testimony on my escape from a deathly road accident. At first, my buttocks felt like they were glued to the seat. I went blank and no words would form in my head. Standing before the congregation, I felt like running away. I searched for what could distract me and then I found the shape of the pulpit attention drawing. I slurred on the first few words, but I later gained confidence. Right there and then, I was completely discharged of all stage fright. I delivered my first public speech, if I may call it that. Ever since then, I find it easy and less disturbing to address the public, their number notwithstanding. I joined a freelance writing company recently. I used to have problem with meeting deadlines, customers were always sending back my works for revision and I was losing my earning with the company. I was frustrated and I felt like leaving. But I decided to take it as a challenge and to resist giving in to frustration. I have been doing fine ever since. I also learnt how to relate well with customers. I acquired also professional writing skills.