At some point or the other, we have all witnessed public speaking and engaged in it too, at various levels. It can range from speaking to an audience as small as a class or addressing a crowd of 500 people. We often assess people based on how they appear on stage and take everything at face value. Through this article, I would like to take readers from the perspective of a Public Speaker, using my own example. 

I started engaging in public speaking at a really young age. I used to take part in various show-and-tell competitions at school. But originally I developed this passion from observing my parents. My mother is a poet and my father has always been the life of any party. I grew up hearing various stories from them and I was naturally drawn towards storytelling as an artform.

For me, any form of public speaking is storytelling. Whether it is a debate or a speech – both, your facts and experiences have tales to tell. This may sound absurd and funny but someone who is passionate about being on stage can also fear the stage a lot. All my public speaking happened at a classroom level and I was always conscious about going up on stage. But in 8th grade, I got an opportunity of representing my school at a debate competition. It was at that competition I realized that I suffer from Stage Fear. When I was up on stage, giving my speech, I was shivering and if you paid enough attention, you would be able to hear my teeth chattering. The competition got over and my team and I won the prize. This was a boost to my confidence. 

Fast forward to 9th grade – I had to speak for a debate in front of my entire batch. Sometimes, you’d rather speak to an audience full of strangers rather than 500 familiar faces. I started my speech and I was given a total of 3 minutes to speak. 40 seconds into my speech, I saw people in the front row laughing at me because due to nervousness, I mispronounced a word. That’s it. I went blank and ended my speech midway by saying “Ummm………  Thank you!”

That was the most embarrassing moment of my life. People started calling me  “Ummmmmm”. After being on the receiving end of a lot of humiliation, I learnt that I must be compassionate to people who have gone through the same.

I participated in the same debate next year, finally beat my fear. I came 3rd that year. 

After that, throughout high school, I compered various events and gave 2 major speeches, one for a Model United Nations Conference and the other was my last speech as Head Girl of the school.

I had been preparing for that last speech for a month. I wanted to end my school life with impact. On D-day, a few seconds before I was called on to the podium, I realized I had lost the hard copy of my speech. That day, I learnt to trust my passion. I went up to the podium without a paper and for me, that was a huge step.

I went from being a kid who was fearful of mics and podiums to a young adult who had to deliver a speech in front of 500 people without any points in hand. I will not be the heroic person here and say that I conquered my apprehensions and I am not scared anymore – I still am scared every time someone hands a mic to me but I think that is what drives me. The fact that I have to excel despite my inhibitions always keeps me going. The point of this article is not just a story. But I hope to get across my message. If through my tale, I have impacted even two people who will think before judging or laughing at someone who fumbles on stage, my message is delivered :)