Public Speaking...Fear Or Fun?

Margaret you are spot on, since fourth grade grammar school I loved public speaking and enjoyed it...on a side note your point about most people do not listen anyway is becoming more true as Internet, texting and cell phones have taken over our lives:))Endre

Hey Margaret Rome, Baltimore Maryland I love public speaking but when speaking in church I often choke up.

Having an audience can be an issue especially if the majority if them are not listening and the audience is only 2 or 3

Margaret Rome, Baltimore Maryland 

I think it's the issue of standing up in front of a bunch of people as opposed to talking to one or two clients at a time...even if you know very well what you are talking about. You are so right about people not listening. I'd say a large percentage of people at a class, talk, etc. are looking down at their tablets and smartphones and not paying attention, at least in the vents I have attended.

Jeff

Pat- I can relate to what Patricia Kennedy said.  Since I was 4, I've had to be in front of people for dance and piano recitals.  I like your 3rd reminder that no one is actually listening!  I'll have to remember that!!!

I do get the feeling some times when I'm speaking at the local real estate school that most people are not listening to me anyways.  It sure doesn't stop me from continuing to hone my skills. 

Margaret Rome, Baltimore Maryland Your post is right on the money.  Every time we talk to buyer or seller we are engaging in public speaking even if it is just one person.  Confidence comes from experience.

Had to laugh at the no one is listening. LOL   I have always hated public speaking but find I get over it once I get going    :-)

Public speaking, snakes and flying. A conversation in my house frequently about fear. I fear lots of things, but speaking in public and messing up would make me crazy. I'll stick to one on one. No large groups please.

Margaret, for me it is more fear than fun! Enjoy your day!

Margaret, it's because when I think of what the Father and the Son sacrificed for me I can't get the words out to express my gratitude.

Margaret - I hate public speaking and will go to great lengths to avoid it.  It will help me immensely in the future if I remember your wise words that no one is listening!

A very strange thing happened to me a few years ago.  I was working at a software development company that was generous in paying for education opportunities for employees.  I signed up for a class on "Presentations," thinking I was going to learn more about creating Microsoft Power Point Presentations.  I was horrified when I arrived at the class to learn it was about giving speaking presentations in front of an audience. 

However, I pulled together a little presentation about my job, the strengths and weaknesses of it, and the class cheered lowdly.  I was glad for that, but would hate to go through that ordeal again.

I do best in smaller groups, or even to a larger audience like Facebook and ActiveRain. . .LOL

 Good Tuesday morning Margaret. Great points! I will remember this today but I do my office presentation.

You said it that if we know our material well we can speak it. It scares some people to death. I know practice helps and that being in front of your peers can be the scariest of all.