How I Conquered My Fear of Speaking in Public

Let’s see.

Snakes?

Nope. I encounter one and an Olympian would still be hard pressed to keep up with me.

Horses?

I’ve ridden them, but I don’t enjoy it.

War.

Been there, done that, got the T-shirt.

Public speaking?

Now, we’re talking.

I’ve shared this a time of two, but my first attempt at public speaking was kind of forced on me.

I was an eleven-year-old Altar Boy and the Lecture didn’t show. Father Verde asked if I’d do it.

Well, I did. I know it was from the letters of Paul, but that was about as close as I can recall. Looking out at a sea (okay, maybe two hundred people, probably less) of people, most of them older than me, my knees knocking. My voice trembling. All I really remember is saying, “A reading from the letter of the Apostle Paul to…” and then a weak “Amen.”

I left it thankful I’d never do it again.

All Father Verde had to say about my dismal performance was “You’ll do better next week.”

Excuse me!

I’m actually thankful he did draft me and put me up there. My voice has made me a living a time or two, and I’ve used it to convey ideas and communicate to masses.

And I overcame this fear of public speaking by just doing it over and over again.

I also studied it on how to get better and better.

In fact, I’m so good at talking in crowds, I’ve had to be told to shut up now and again.

Oh, well!