Before I first joined Toastmasters I never thought I’d be a public speaker. I had a knack for putting presentations and assembling content in college, but I’d always be nervous when I presented. I needed to gain confidence.

So I tried watching communication videos, and reading tips online. It was ineffective. I needed a safe place to practice. I could try at home, but it wasn’t the same. That’s when I stumbled across Toastmasters. “Learn how to become a confident speaker” the advertising said.

I made it a visit to the club and knew it was exactly what I needed. I knew I wasn’t ready for a speech or to lead the meeting as Toastmaster. I knew I had to start small. Of course I can give a joke and a motivational quote. So I did it. Of course I can be a Ah-Counter, and a grammarian. I did those roles too. Each time I experienced a role, I believed I could do the next role. This continued until I completed all roles in a Toastmasters meeting.

No matter which role I did there were always mishaps. Missing the count of the word of the day. Using the wrong title to call someone. Forgetting parts of my speech as a speaker. Making those mistakes was embarrassing and painful, That pain emphasized the problems I had to work through. And I kept coming back to practice.

With practice I make less mistakes. My speeches and presentation is better than its ever been. I’ve been in Toastmasters for two years now, and I thought by now I wouldn’t be nervous when I speak. I still am nervous but the difference is I have confidence in myself.

I’ve been in rough spots and learned to push through it. Forget a part of my speech? Keep on talking as if it you aren’t missing anything. Forget the word of the day. I’ll admit its my fault. Someone reminds me I skipped a role responsibility. I thank them and perform it. From experience I know that when I make a mistake, I can depend on myself to pull myself through.

If you want to transform your speaking skills, get that experience. Push yourself. Keep on speaking.

The heart pounds fast. The body become stiff. You are in the front of the room, giving your first speech. Its a struggle standing there, saying your lines. Its overwhelming because you may look like a fool. At this moment you are faced with your fear of public speaking.

Many new Toastmasters go through this experience. Its such a challenge that they join to overcome their fear of public speaking. Its common, but why do so many people have this fear?

Why do we fear public speaking?

People don’t want to be judged negatively. When a person comes up and speak for the first time, he’s worried he’ll be seen as inadequate. He’s worried he may not have the skills to to look confident through the speech.

People know they shouldn’t care what others think, yet they still get nervous. They are afraid of being judged by themselves. They don’t want to speak. They don’t want to be in front of everyone, only to underperform. Its hard to accept being an incompetent speaker. To be such a beginner. But in order to get better we need to accept our current level to get better.

Overcoming this fear

There is no easy way to overcome fear. If you try to understand it alone, it doesn’t cure your fear. You need to condition yourself with the the mindset that you’ll be okay no matter what the outcome is. That you can improve. The best way to overcome the fear of public speaking is by doing it.

Knowing this will not make it easier. But as you give more speeches you will slowly accept any judgement you receive. You will learn to become a better speaker. You will see your improvement. When you realize your learning potential, your public speaking level will matter less.

Conclusion

You forget a part of your speech? You skip and maybe bring it back later. You start to forget a line? You bring a notecard next time. As obstacles arrive, you learn to solve them. This is what experience provides you. An opportunity to look back and see your improvement. An opportunity to look back and see that you were always ok.