From The Journal

There are four times in my life when I can remember being really really nervous. Like, my legs are shaking, my fists are clenched and I can’t breathe, nervous.

The first was when I sang at my Year 11 Presentation Evening. The second was waiting to hear the results about my MA final project. The third was waiting to hear if I’d got the job I’m in now. And the fourth was in the minutes before I did my first public speaking gig.

All four were totally different situations. But when I think about them, I can instantly remember how nervous I felt.

For public speaking in particular, you’d think someone would have to have great speaking skills, be extroverted and have tonnes of confidence, right?

I don’t tick any of those boxes.

Sure I’m good at communicating – but would I call myself an expert? Nope. I’m definitely more of an introvert than an extrovert and although I’ve got more confidence now than ever, it’s still not as much as what some people have.

So really, you’d think that I wouldn’t fit the professional speaking bill.

Apart from the fact that the three times that I’ve done it so far, I’ve been told I’m a natural.

And it’s not because of what people “think” public speaking is. It comes down to what it actually is:

• Hours spent crafting a killer presentation and practising the craft
• Being nervous but knowing how to manage that anxiety
• Coming across as more confident than you actually are

But the biggest thing about public speaking is that if you get it right, you’re perceived as an expert in what you’re talking about.

So, if you’ve ever thought about professional speaking or think you might have the guts to do it one day, I wanted to share my story with you.