All my life, I thought I was afraid of heights. They'd usually trigger the classic 'sweaty palms, head spinning, heart in my throat' reaction...otherwise known as "freaking out".
It didn't affect me too much because I simply avoided vulnerable situations, like rollercoasters and jungle gyms.
But as you may know, over the past few years I've been very intentional to step out of my comfort zone - all with the goal of becoming a better speaker. If you're struggling to make that connection (I don't blame you if you are) check out this 60-second video where I explain how pushing the boundaries of your comfort zone can calm presentation nerves, make you a more successful speaker, and a more successful person overall.
It's the very reason that I decided to go ziplining in Costa Rica last week. I had the chance a few years ago but I refused flat out. This time I actually felt compelled to do it. Not because I wasn't afraid, but because I've made a habit of facing my fears.
And what a way to do it. Absolutely incredible!
And it was there, as I soared above the canopy of the tropical rainforest, that I had an epiphany:
It dawned on me that all this time, I never had a fear of heights.
The only thing I've been afraid of is....
f
a
l
l
i
n
g.
When I think about it, that's what has always freaked me out and held me back. I'd imagine everything that could go wrong - slips, falls, equipment failures, the ground collapsing under my feet.
Every time I looked down, I wasn't afraid of the view, I was afraid of falling into it.
That got me thinking about all the people that have a fear of public speaking. When in reality, most of us are actually afraid...of falling.
Or in other words,
failing.
We're afraid of messing up, forgetting our lines, losing the audience. We're afraid of doing a bad job and making a fool of ourselves.
This fear of failure contributes to our nerves - at least to some degree - and a lot more than you might think. In some cases, it is solely to blame.
What about you? Perhaps you get nervous, either always or once in a while. Most people do, including myself. But there are ways to tame those nerves - to speak with more confidence and more success.
One of the best ways is to improve your presentation skills: Learn what to do, how to do it, and practice practice practice.
It sounds obvious, and it is, but it's often overlooked. So I want you to consider what you can do to be more successful - for each presentation, and as a speaker overall.
Essentially, you want to eliminate/reduce your chance of failure.
Just like I did with ziplining. To calm my nerves, I read reviews, watched videos, asked a million questions. I even sent my kids first to make sure that it was safe. 😉
In the end, it wasn't easy for me. It was a terrifying climb to the top. My first ride was unnerving. In fact, I was on edge every time we'd start a new line. But the feeling of zipping through the rainforest...made me get back on again and again.
I even ended up doing the optional Tarzan swing which was the scariest part of all. Because for a few seconds after you get PUSHED off the ledge, you actually are falling, until you get thrust forward and into the sky. (Warning: If high-pitched shrieks disturb you, turn the volume down for the following video!)
Don't let your fear of falling stop you from flying.
You're reading this because you're on a journey to improve your skills. Perhaps you've had some training, or experience. Perhaps you've had both, or none at all. Wherever you are in your journey, I applaud you for your success and I encourage you to keep going.
As always, I'm here to help. Check out my free resources and contact me if you're interested in a workshop.
And as they say in Costa Rica, "pura vida"!
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