The Funny Thing about Public Speaking | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

The Funny Thing about Public Speaking

How to conquer the fear and doubt of public speaking.

138
The Funny Thing about Public Speaking
John Hopkins Medicine

Public speaking class has got to be the greatest enemy of the introvert. There is nothing like having to stand up in front of a class full of people that you do not know very well and reciting a speech that you may or may not have rehearsed several times, while trying not to mess up in the process. The funny thing for me is that I can normally talk and discuss with people in an informal setting, but when you put me up on the podium with people staring straight at me, my ideas start to mix up and the negative thoughts start to cloud my judgment.

This semester, I am taking a public speaking class. For the duration of the class, we have had to give several speeches on ourselves and topics of our choice. The thing is, no matter how long I practice my speech, I feel like I have consistently stumbled and stuttered my way through the speeches. For the perfectionist such as myself, it has frustrated me and made me ask myself what I can do to improve for next time. As I have reflected and re-watched my speeches (my professor uploads our videos that he records for us to review), I have realized that a lot of my problem has been that the times that I have stuttered and stumbled have been the result of being hesitant on following through with what I want to say. Whether it was because I wondered how it would sound or if it was the best way to phrase what I wanted to say, the fact of the matter was; I was trying to change it last minute and it was causing me to make the very mistakes I was trying to avoid.

I was feeling a little disappointed in my speeches but my professor said something that really stuck with me. What he said was that “you should never be afraid to give it your best shot, to commit to what you want to say, and if you fail, then to go out with a bang. People will not remember every single word that you say, all the facts, all the statistics, whether or not you ‘won’ the argument, but they will remember how you presented it and the passion and manner in which you did so.” Regardless of how any speech goes, I should be able to take pride in the effort that goes into crafting it, as well as be happy with having the courage to commit to what I want to say and to have confidence in following through with it. Trying to perfect what I am saying or focusing on swaying a crowd should not be the goal; instead, it should be on conveying my ideas and thoughts in my own unique way without being worried of how it sounds. Because at its core, communication is about sharing and listening, not trying to throw a perfectly-edited infallible speech at an audience—that will get me nowhere. If I truly want to make an impactful speech, I will forget the doubts, uncertainty, and fear and commit to what I want to say without second thought of anything else.

If there is one thing Public Speaking Class has taught me, it is this idea that a speech is really just a dialogue with an audience intended to share ideas and open up new possibilities for meaningful conversation. All I am really doing is talking on a larger stage. Public Speaking should create new opportunities to learn, grow, hear feedback, and connect with others, rather than stress me out in the pursuit for perfection. People want to hear a fellow student talking about something they are passionate about; not a robot who can throw numbers and facts at them or speak without emotion.

Standing up in front of everyone can be daunting and it certainly can be nerve-racking. But as I have come to understand the purpose of Public Speaking, I have released myself from the need to craft that perfect speech and allowed myself to just be myself up there. And really, it is when you release the need to perfect everything and stop overanalyzing that you start to enjoy it. Don’t give into the fear and the doubt. The worst possible outcome is never really as bad as it seems. You aren’t in a contest or a competition, and the goal is not to put on a show or an act. Knowing and believing this has started to make a world of difference for me, and for all my fellow introverts, I know it can for you as well.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

180169
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

7241
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

452468
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

23278
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments