18/06/2022
I will never forget that day in my life, ever.
I was around 12 years old. It was morning assembly time when the principal announced an Open Speech Day. She invited the students to participate voluntarily. I thought of trying something new and immediately, I joined the line of participants. But the moment my turn came, my legs froze and I became numb.
Someone nudged me from behind. Fearfully, I went ahead and stood in front of the mic. The idea of thousands of eyes falling on me pushed my panic button. I started speaking (even today I don’t remember much of the speech as my mind almost went blank), my legs were shaking, voice was trembling and hands were sweating. I wanted to run away. Somehow, I finished the speech.
After all the students had done speaking, the principal gave a general feedback and I felt most of it applied to me. I felt ashamed. That incident scarred me so deeply that even when I grew up, I shied away from speaking publicly. Even at work, I would avoid giving presentations. But I knew it was hampering my progress.
So, I took a step to deal with my fear of public speaking. I enrolled myself in self-development programs, talked to myself in front of mirror and many such activities that helped me reduce the negative thoughts and I managed to regain my lost confidence.
Today, as a life coach and self-healer I give talks to employees in big companies, speak in events of hundreds of audience. With professional assistance and self-determination, I was able to overcome my childhood fright and be fearless again.
Do I still feel the fear in my belly during public speaking? Maybe sometimes. But that doesn’t stop me from accomplishing the goal that is bigger than me as an individual.
