To speak before a group of intellectuals hasn't been my comfort zone. I admit, I'm not good at communicating to people.But the barrier within me, has slowly been tored down and I'm beginning to conquer this fear.
With barely five hours before the actual activity, I was informed if I could speak on the updates of taxation, as an eleventh hour replacement due the unavailability of the resource speaker. I initially decline. The topic needs a lot of effort. Presentation slides, handouts and other materials to make an efficient and effective delivery takes time to prepare.
The discussion to pursue or not was cut short when a co-employee offered his PowerPoint presentation on the topic. Right on that very moment I said yes.
Without wasting time, I scanned the files. Studied every page of the slide. It took me sometime to fully grasp the details, for majority of which tackled on computations,basically dealing with numbers. I tried to crack all parts my cranium, in order to absorb all what I've read, in a short span of time. I tried to recall the stock knowledge that I have, and integrate them on the slide presentation laid down.
Questions like, "Can I deliver what these people ought to know?" What if my fear overpowers me, what would I do?.These made me more awkward and uneasy as the clocks strikes to signal the start of the activity.
My knees trembled as I approached the podium. The seminar room though seemingly cold but I perspired. I felt goose bumps all over my body. I whispered to myself, "This is it." I tried to gain my confidence and focus , thinking of something else to ease the tension that I felt, which prevailed for a couple of minutes.
The discussion started me giving the participants a brief background on the topic. The confidence that I am armed with, was boasted by the nod and inquiries of the participants, who were interactive this time contrary to when I began delivering my piece. Lively exchanges inside the room lasted for an hour.
Wrapping up my presentation, I could hear them clapping in unison. I received positive feedback from them. I was even mistaken as a real personnel from the internal revenue bureau of the government.
I've gone out on my comfort zone. The thing which fears me most turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I have discovered another side of me. With right attitude and determination, I guess I will go far on this. Being a speaker.
Anyone?
However,Robert Stevenson said and I quote, "All speech written or spoken, is a dead language, until it finds a willing and prepared hearer.Right?
With barely five hours before the actual activity, I was informed if I could speak on the updates of taxation, as an eleventh hour replacement due the unavailability of the resource speaker. I initially decline. The topic needs a lot of effort. Presentation slides, handouts and other materials to make an efficient and effective delivery takes time to prepare.
The discussion to pursue or not was cut short when a co-employee offered his PowerPoint presentation on the topic. Right on that very moment I said yes.
Without wasting time, I scanned the files. Studied every page of the slide. It took me sometime to fully grasp the details, for majority of which tackled on computations,basically dealing with numbers. I tried to crack all parts my cranium, in order to absorb all what I've read, in a short span of time. I tried to recall the stock knowledge that I have, and integrate them on the slide presentation laid down.
Questions like, "Can I deliver what these people ought to know?" What if my fear overpowers me, what would I do?.These made me more awkward and uneasy as the clocks strikes to signal the start of the activity.
My knees trembled as I approached the podium. The seminar room though seemingly cold but I perspired. I felt goose bumps all over my body. I whispered to myself, "This is it." I tried to gain my confidence and focus , thinking of something else to ease the tension that I felt, which prevailed for a couple of minutes.
The discussion started me giving the participants a brief background on the topic. The confidence that I am armed with, was boasted by the nod and inquiries of the participants, who were interactive this time contrary to when I began delivering my piece. Lively exchanges inside the room lasted for an hour.
Wrapping up my presentation, I could hear them clapping in unison. I received positive feedback from them. I was even mistaken as a real personnel from the internal revenue bureau of the government.
I've gone out on my comfort zone. The thing which fears me most turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I have discovered another side of me. With right attitude and determination, I guess I will go far on this. Being a speaker.
Anyone?
However,Robert Stevenson said and I quote, "All speech written or spoken, is a dead language, until it finds a willing and prepared hearer.Right?
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