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10 Commitments, 100 Discoveries: #6 – Public Speaking
Hi, I’m a self proclaimed commitment-phobe. But, I’m also one that is working very hard to change. Honestly, it’s one of my toughest struggles. But, I am proud to say it is one that I am chipping away at slowly but surely. One day, when I tell my kids of my fear of commitment they will just laugh and say, “No way, not you!”
With the commitment, 1 Year, 10 Projects, 100 Discoveries, I’m working to show myself that commitments are like trains; it doesn’t matter where they’re going. What matters is deciding to get on. Discoveries “#60-69″ are about commitments and plans. This post is part of that project. You can see all 10 commitments here and the entire project here. Focus on the plans, I sure am!
This is one goal that I’ve been working on for years. But, as I wake from sleeping on an airplane, I realize that this is the year that I’ve started to conquer it, so I’m counting it for the project 
. I’m not perfect yet. And, like a muscle, if I don’t do it often, the fear comes back.
Nevertheless, three years ago I made the commitment to become a better public speaker. Since then, I’ve taken every speaking gig, both internal and external, that was presented to me. I went to Toast Master classes and I would actively ask my bosses to let me speak at internal meetings.
In the past, I would prepare and rehearse my speeches/presentations for days on end. Don’t get me wrong, I still practice. But, these days, I’m a lot more comfortable speaking in front of an audience. Three years ago, when I stood up to give a presentation, my voice shook so hard that everyone in the audience pitied me. Today, people in the audience sarcastically ask, “You’ve done this a few times before, huh?”
My crowning moment came this year when I was able to stand in front of an audience and change my presentation on the fly based on some of the presentations that had gone before me on the panel. Wow. To you, maybe that’s an inconsequential moment, but, three years ago, the thought of even doing something like that was an impossible dream to me.
This is one commitment that has not only paid off in spades but I’m also very proud of accomplishing.
Posted in 10 Commitments, 100 Discoveries
Wonderful! Keep it up Brandie! The secret is actually no secret: the more you do something the better you get at it! And yet, it’s still a secret…AWESOME!
Thanks Doug!