So in an hour and a half, I have to host a panel discussion. And all I can say is: I'm a freaking nervous wreck. I'm sitting in my hotel room kinda wishing I still smoked or that I could drink a little bit this early, but instead I'm orging to calm my nerves. The thing is, this panel is probably not going to be that well-attended, and those who do attend will be friendly (most likely). It's not a controversial or challenging panel. But I will no doubt lose control of my breathing, which will make me speak weird, and I'm sure I'll be bright crimson throughout the whole thing.

I spent a year in Toastmasters trying to combat this. Didn't take.

Anyway, I just wanted to share my dread with you all because it makes me feel a little bit better. Please wish me luck and feel free to share your own fears, public speaking or otherwise.

aw that's cute.

I have no fear of public speaking whatsoever.

I feel ya! I have anxiety like that, too.

I wish I didn't have that fear. I've really tried to fight it.

The panel? It will be to a room full of librarians. (Actually, the room won't be anywhere near full.) And I love librarians! They're nice. They're usually not mean. So why do I still have a stomach full of butterflies?

Efan said:

I wish I didn't have that fear. I've really tried to fight it.

The panel? It will be to a room full of librarians. (Actually, the room won't be anywhere near full.) And I love librarians! They're nice. They're usually not mean. So why do I still have a stomach full of butterflies?

You're too old for that shit now.

Good luck though.

TheVoid said:

Efan said:

I wish I didn't have that fear. I've really tried to fight it.

The panel? It will be to a room full of librarians. (Actually, the room won't be anywhere near full.) And I love librarians! They're nice. They're usually not mean. So why do I still have a stomach full of butterflies?

You're too old for that shit now.

Good luck though.

How dare you.

I feel ya. I've had to speak publicly many times in my professional career, but I've never gotten over the nervousness associated with it. I even took a public speaking class in college, but it never helped either. When I have to do something that makes me really nervous, I just say to myself "What's the worst that's going to happen? It's not like I'm going to die, regardless of what happens during the speech." Hang in there, you'll be fine and it will all be over soon.

I understand... I have no problem getting up in front of groups of teenagers, but when asked to speak to adults, I get all jittery.

You'll do a great job!

Efan said:

TheVoid said:

You're too old for that shit now.

Good luck though.

How dare you.

Did you know Oprah Winfrey has an inherent fear of public speaking?

My jaw dropped when my college speech teacher told me that.

But I do think as folks age, they care less about what others think and this helps them make public presentation less awkwardly. Maybe that's why it's always the old folks who say the best shit at public hearings.

Perhaps you should try doing what this uber hip CEO of Microsoft does?:

You'll do great. Let the worries slip away.

It actually went great! And there were over a hundred people in the room. It was good.

I'm so ready to get drunk tonight.

Efan said:

It actually went great! And there were over a hundred people in the room. It was good.

I'm so ready to get drunk tonight.

I bet you got a huge buzz out of it, I know I do, and I don't like being the centre of attention, but I have realised that people listen to what I think and respect me for my opinions, and knowing that, I have no problems with it now, even though even 10 years ago I would rather have died than talk in front of people - I never made a speech at my wedding for example, but now? you probably couldn't shut me up

see, I didn't even take a breath saying all that!!!