Facing one of my fears
As someone who once harbored a debilitating fear of public speaking, it may seem counterintuitive that I found myself standing in front of an audience of 90 burnt-out kindergarten teachers in the Melbourne council, ready to share my story. The very thought of speaking in front of a crowd used to tie knots in my stomach and render me speechless, but there I was, pushed by a mix of dread and determination.
As I took the stage, the familiar rush of anxiety threatened to overwhelm me. However, instead of succumbing to the fear, I drew upon my newfound strength and began to speak. With each word that left my lips, I could feel a shift within me—one that signaled a departure from apprehension towards empowerment.
To my surprise, the audience lean in, their eyes lighting up with interest as I recounted my journey. I spoke of my struggles with public speaking, the setbacks I faced, and the strategies I employed to overcome them. I shared anecdotes, insights, and hard-earned lessons, weaving them into a narrative that resonated with my listeners.
As the minutes ticked by, I noticed a transformation taking place in the room. The tired expressions softened, replaced by expressions of curiosity and, dare I say, inspiration. By the time I concluded my talk, there was a palpable sense of energy and hope in the air—a far cry from the weariness that pervaded the room when I first stepped onto the stage.
To my amazement, as I descended from the platform, several teachers approached me, their eyes shining with gratitude. They expressed how my words had reignited their passion for teaching, how they felt motivated to implement new strategies in their classrooms, and how they were eager to delve into the pages of the book I had penned.
90 books sold total $3500 for my hour-long talk that had evidently struck a chord with the audience. I was floored—never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that my fear of public speaking would lead to such a rewarding and fulfilling experience.
As I left the venue that day, buoyed by the warmth of the audience's reception, I realized that sometimes our greatest fears can pave the way for our most significant triumphs. And in that room filled with burnt-out kindergarten teachers, I found even after facing my fear, although it was great to tick that box I’m not necessarily comfortable in it or would want to that all the time, but I did get a deep-seated belief in the power of sharing our stories to inspire and uplift others.
