One of my greatest fears growing up was speaking in front of my peers…
Third Grade:
When I was in third grade at St. Louis School in Pittsford, N.Y, I talked during a group Language Arts presentation by Mrs. Nathan, my teacher. After I didn't adhere to her first two warnings, she threatened to call me to the FRONT of the class to teach the lesson!!
Mrs. Nathan knew my mother, Celia, very well because she was ‘the classroom mom’ who everyone affectionately called Mrs. Ness! She monitored my progress in reading & math while assisting my third grade teacher.
The Switch:
Midway through her lesson, Mrs. Nathan switched places with me on the class reading carpet. I reluctantly sat in her teacher's chair! Fear began to well up inside me because I was petrified & embarrassed in front of my peers. I apologized to my class and sat back down on the carpet.
Lesson Learned:
This fearful moment as a peer teacher has lingered with me for 47 years! Since learning this heartfelt lesson from Mrs. Nathan, Coach N. has spoken at several church/school events in the past 35 years. Are you fearful of speaking in front of your peers? You can OVERCOME this fear by implementing: meditating with music, prayer, practicing talking & recording yourself in front of a mirror, or picking a ‘calming technique’ that works for you before you have to speak in front of an audience.
Stretch Yourself with Your Message:
This past October, I attended The Next Level Speaking Event in Iowa with Coaches Mitch Matthews & Travis Crutcher. As a result, I approach speaking at events with a different perspective utilizing proven frameworks & strategies!
If the fear of speaking in front of groups is holding you back from the potential of earning a promotion, don't let fear control you. Is fear holding you back from stepping out of your comfort zone to speak & make extra income for your family? If you desire to speak, learn from other successful speakers & take steps to learn, dream & achieve to benefit others in your classroom of life!
Tune into:
Please tune into our 🍎 Apple podcast:
Please tune into episode #15: Learn, dream 💭 & achieve with Coach Mitch Matthews.
