Take The Stage & Love It!

My heart started to pound. It started in my chest, worked its way through my neck then into my head where I thought my head was going to explode. I was still sitting in my chair knowing that I was the next person to get up to speak. Despite the pounding head, I still got up to give my prepared speech. Once my mouth opened, my body began to pace. This was not a casual pacing; this was racing back and forth as if I was in a contest to see who could pace the fastest. Thank goodness my speech was prepared, because I think I was on automatic pilot. I had no ability to think, so I would not have been able to speak off the cuff. I gave my entire speech in record time. Oh, did I mention that I also spoke extremely fast to keep up with my pacing and speedy heart rate? The good news is, people actually liked my speech; the ones that could keep up with me. But the bad news is, I have no recollection of what I said or did while I was up there. Oh, and did I also mention that when I looked out into the audience, it was just one big cloud of fog. Everything was a blur. This was my first speech I ever gave at Toastmasters. It took me seven years to finally join. I joined because every time I got up to speak in business or even in social situations, my heart would pound faster than a speeding bullet and it effective my speech, my body language, and my memory. I wanted that terrible feeling to go away, so I finally did something about it. I was so dedicated to improving my public speaking that I made sure I attended every meeting and when I did I made sure I got up to speak at every meeting. Each time I got up my heart pounding subsided a little bit, then a little bit more, and then more and more. Now, I never get it! As I continued to learn and grow as a public speaker, I discovered a great passion for it and realized I wanted to become a professional speaker. That is when I took action in learning everything I could about the speaking industry, training industry, and of course, presenting effectively. But not just effectively; I learned what makes a great presentation. A presentation that creates great results, keeps your audience engaged and interested, and that makes a dynamic impact. Through my fear of public speaking I discovered a passion for public speaking. Teaching it, coaching it, and speaking about it. I am a living example that no matter how nervous you may get when presenting in front of people, you can get rid of that nervousness. As interesting and inspiring my story may be, it is not nearly as interesting, exciting, and inspiring as the others you will find in this book. This book is designed to educate, motivate, and inspire you to take your own speaking skills to the next level and beyond.