 When I was fourteen years old, I had my first 3D movie experience. My family took a trip to Disney Land and 3D technology was just being introduced to the big screen. It was a big deal and Michael Jackson was the star of the movie we saw at Disney. The 80s were a time I remember fondly in part because everything seemed like a grand experiment. My hair included.
The movie is but a distant memory, but I never forgot how the 3D glasses brought me into the movie. I was weaving and bobbing to get out of the way of objects flying straight toward me. It was incredible.
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 I was envious of the army brats when I was young. They moved all over the world. Sure, they had to start new schools over and over, but at least they had a good excuse. Their parents were serving our country and making huge sacrifices to do it. My family moved all over Iowa. I moved five times from the age of nine to the age of sixteen.
 Speaking to an audience is quite arguably one of the scariest endeavors one can face. Many say, ‘I have a fear of public speaking’, but I contend ‘they have many fears of public speaking’. One such fear is the fear of failure. The following paragraphs describe what the fear of failure feels like to me.
 I realize now that the audience holds immense power. Rather than underestimate its strength or completely avoid it I’ve learned to embrace it. A simple shift in perspective makes all the difference in turning my adversary into my advocate.
 What makes speaking so nerve racking for me and many others is the idea that this is the very first time in front of this particular audience, sharing this content, in this space and time. It’s all new and largely unknown. Not being able to recognize anything as familiar is a uniquely terrifying experience.
 The fear of criticism can have us scrambling to fit in. When we take the stage; however, we are standing tall. The stage requires acceptance of self and others and that takes courage.
 If you’ve ever felt like you don’t know enough to speak to an audience, you are definitely not alone. This can be a motivator to do what’s necessary to get ready, but more times than not it becomes the reason some don’t make it to the front of the room. So how do you know if you know enough?
 When I tell people, I teach presentation skills for a living they often recoil before my eyes. As if I might call on them to speak if they hang around too long. They go on to explain they would rather die than have to speak in front of an audience. When they’ve adequately expressed themselves, their apprehension is replaced by a mystical glare as they begin to ask what would possess me to take this on as a career.
 I was just seventeen years old when I took my place on the stage behind the lectern. I could feel the heat rising in my body, slowly at first, then suddenly it was like I was plunged into a hot dunk tank of fear and anxiety. My heart was pumping out of my chest and I was certain the thump, thump, thump was being amplified through the microphone.
 I encounter it all the time. The look of concern and apprehension as my client confesses to me that they are an introvert. Their eyes tell me – “I’m sorry. This isn’t going to be easy. I sure hope you are up for the challenge.”
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AuthorSara Cross' background in corporate sales has allowed her the privilege to connect with people at all levels within organizations. She's had the opportunity to hear the struggles and challenges many face on a daily basis. Constant pressure and expectations can steer us off course and have us abandoning our purpose. Sara believes with confidence we can make the difference we were meant to make in life and is devoted to evoking courage in others through speaking and coaching. |
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