Hello, wonderful readers! I’m thrilled to bring you an honest and personal interview today – and guess who the interviewee is? It’s none other than yours truly! That’s correct! I’ve set out on a path towards my ultimate career goal of becoming a Human Resource Manager in a renowned multinational company.
However, as my journey unroll, I came to realize a crucial area where I need improvement and expertise and I am ready to tackle this challenge ahead on: my public speaking skills and time management. Along the path to my dream career, I have been encountered where effective communication and the ability to convey ideas clearly and energetically have proven to be essential. It became evident that enhancing my public speaking skills would not only benefit my current chasing but also be valuable asset for my future aspirations. So, I have taken it upon myself to bridge this learning gap, recognizing that becoming a profession, public speaker is a crucial step toward achieving my goals.
At present, my ‘to-do list’ comprises of some simple and effective tasks:
- Speaking Regularly and Raising My Voice: Engaging in group discussions with my classmates and friends, covering diverse topics from current events to entertainment has become a regular part of my routine . Gradually, this experience will push me to express my ideas with clarity and persuasion and over time my fear of public speaking will gradually fade away .
- Creating a Schedule and Prioritizing Tasks: I’ve crafted a daily or weekly agenda, which incorporates slots for attending classes, study sessions, completing assignments, and managing personal activities. This helps me maintain organization and emphasizes the importance of prioritizing critical, time-sensitive tasks to prevent potential hardships in the future.
- The Impact of Self-Recording: Recording myself while speaking has made a big difference. When I listen to these recordings, it helps me get better at speaking, work on how I pronounce words, and make my delivery smoother. It’s like taking a rough stone and turning it into a shiny gem.
- Becoming More Outgoing: I’ve begun actively engaging with people and participating in group discussions, which has helped reduce my anxiety when speaking to a crowd. Being more extroverted has boosted my self-confidence, a crucial element for effective public speaking. This newfound confidence positively influences how I deliver my speeches and connect with my audience.
Looking back, I can’t help but laugh at how awkward my early attempts at group presentations were. I would often struggle with my words, lose track of what I was saying, and even find myself suddenly unable to speak mid-sentence. It felt like I had experienced a momentary inability to talk.
Seeking Guidance from Experts:
Realizing the impact of my learning gaps, I decided to learn from experts to overcome my gaps. With a deep breath, I turned to my AI assistant, ChatGPT, and delved into the insights of accomplished individuals who have successfully overcome their fear of public speaking. Here’s what I’ve discovered
Preparation:
- Warren Buffett: He took a public speaking course and practiced regularly, emphasizing the importance of preparation to build confidence.
Mindset Shift:
- Richard Branson: Branson shifted his mindset to view public speaking as an opportunity for growth rather than a source of fear.
Visualization:
- Oprah Winfrey: Oprah uses visualization techniques to mentally prepare for her speeches and presentations.
Anxiety Management:
- Tony Robbins: Robbins likely employed various anxiety management techniques given his background in personal development and self-improvement.
Engagement:
- Tony Robbins: Robbins also engages his audience with dynamic and interactive speaking techniques, making the process enjoyable for both him and his audience.
These examples demonstrate that conquering the fear of public speaking often involves a combination of preparation, mindset shifts, visualization, anxiety management strategies, and engaging with the audience effectively. Each expert may have employed a unique blend of these approaches to achieve success in public speaking.
ROLE OF EMOTIONS
Also, I think Feelings have played a big role on this journey. You know how it feels, right? Like when we were proud of ourselves after a good presentation or happy when we managed our time well. These feelings have motivated us, and I’m sure they still do.
Learning these skills is a bit like making a strong sword. Each task we do is like hitting the sword with a hammer, making it better and stronger. We’re like the blacksmiths, and our dream of being an HR manager is the sword we’re working hard to perfect.
Now, as I write this letter, I’m really excited about what’s coming next. What will happen in the future as we work towards becoming an HR manager? It’s definitely going to be an interesting adventure.
As said by Albert Einstein “Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning.”
So, as we move forward, let’s keep in mind the lessons we’ve learned and the wisdom we’ve gained on this incredible journey. Let’s welcome every challenge, knowing that each one helps us get closer to our big goal.
AKSHITA GUNIDIA
Jaipuria Talks Blog 