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I have had a problem with public speaking for years, but the most ironic part is I am actually an excellent public speaker. But for the life of me, I get completely freaked out. The most bothersome about it is that sometimes I actually am not as nervous as I am other times, and that uncertainty of how I will react on that day is what is the biggest variable that makes the thought of that day coming so grueling. I can point to dozens of very successful presentations where I walked away feeling so empowered and so excited that I could not wait to do my next public speaking event, but that only lasts so long.
There is definately something chemical/hereditary involved.  The good news is that now that I know 'how the magic trick works', it's easier for me to control it. In the past, when I didn't know what the hell was going on, things would spiral out of control. There were instances when I gave speeches to small gatherings when I actually had to stop, get up and leave the room ! Today I know better. I know that my body is playing tricks on me and as soon as I feel the symptoms coming before my moment to go up and talk, I relax, try to take my mind off of it, and breath as easy as I can and think good thoughts. Then when it is my turn, I spring out of my chair and corral all that bad energy into positive energy and do my thing. Don't stay crippled behind your fear. It's not real. I'm glad I got this opportunity to share my story.   Â
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Readers Stories
Interesting about the jump up and do it part. I also think the energy the fear creates could be used to energize a speech, but the problem is mustering the courage to take the chance to try that in a real life situation!