question_answer 10)

‘All we have to fear is fear itself.’ Have you ever had a fear that you have now overcome? Share your experience with others in the class.

Answer:

According to The Book of Lists, the fear of public speaking ranks number one in the minds of the majority of people, Jar above the fear of death and disease. So was it with me. I had always wanted to be applauded but was terrified of the spotlight. My first public humiliation came when, as a top-heavy mushroom in the second grade, I Jell off the stage while acting in a play. I could not face people for weeks. Kids are more cruel than any other species since they are truthful. I wished I might as well have died. Two days later, all others had for gotten but I could not.   My next ordeal was in the fifth grade, when my teacher announced my name on the stage assembly. I blanked out. I did not even hear the topic and I again felt humiliated. The words were propelled from me by some supernatural force. Yet, I couldn't say what I wanted. Finally, I had a temper tantrum and was made to write I must not yell at the teacher, 500 times. But strangely, I had earned a new respect among my peers as an instigator!   Yet, I knew it was not the end of the world. Soon, I realized that as long as I believed in what I was saying, I could say it! The more passionately I believed it, the more passionately I talked about it. I realized how seldom people think about anyone but themselves. There is no real trick in public speaking, there is only confidence. If you don't have confidence in yourself, you must begin by having confidence in your message.   Once I went to talk, expecting eight or ten people. In a quiet little conference room, I began rehearsing my speech, focusing on how I was going to concentrate on only one person at a time, and talk personally to every one. But, much to my horror, I was led into this grand auditorium, filled with more people than I felt ever existed in one space. The lights were up, and I could see all of their faces. Worse yet, they could see me. Is my tie straight, is my shirt stained, oh my God what was I to do?...   Soon I heard my voice say 'Good morning ladies and gentlemen. I'm here to ...' Then I waited and anticipated—No tomatoes, or eggs but cheers! That was pretty easy; I'll go for it,' I thought.   I stepped out of the character of a timid wimp into the character of a confident public speaker, an expert and slayer of dragons. I have little memory of my performance, only that when it was over, there was applause. I was at once exhilarated and exhausted. I had done well, and was booked for a repeat performance. Since that trial by fire, I would never again find myself terrified of a live audience.   Coming to a minor revelation, I realized that the 'rules' for speaking that I had heard for years were true. Know your subject, prepare both intellectually and emotionally, speak with confidence, and be sincere. However, audiences at times, continue to make my toes curl.