We all have stories that we might find awkward or uninteresting, but they often hold lessons worth sharing. My life’s journey from a scared schoolgirl to a bold, outspoken communicator is one of personal growth. I think it conveys a key message and is a journey that many people can identify with.
I wasn’t the outspoken or extroverted student in school back then. I was held back by insecurities, and it was made more difficult by the climate at school, which seemed to value high achievers. I felt disappointed and detached because only kids with great grades were allowed to participate in events.
My family was aware of another aspect of me, which was talkative and cheerful. My public speaking abilities, though, were not impressive. I trembled at the very concept of speaking to an audience while seated on a stage. My tendency to avoid public speaking developed since I had never touched a mike.
A boarding school called “The Turning Point”
The decision by my parents to send me to a boarding school for higher education marked a critical turning point in my life. The choice I made ended up being both the best and worst I had ever made. I initially struggled with depression as a result of the strict regulations, which included living with 300 girls from different backgrounds, having no access to a phone, speaking with my parents just once a week for 15 minutes, and being unable to leave the hostel. An experience unlike any other, it was.
I started to reflect during this trying time and realized the importance of isolation. I thought about what I wanted out of life in these times of isolation.
The COVID-19 Effect:
When the COVID-19 pandemic arrived, everyone was forced to stay at home. I have the chance to discover more about myself throughout this time. I decided to step outside of my comfort zone and began speaking up. I struck up talks with strangers and participated in self-improvement exercises. My introverted habits progressively changed, but I still had a lot to learn about public speaking.
A Deep Objective:
Move Abandoned Children to Adoption
I’ve had a deep ambition to adopt children since sixth grade. It might have sounded silly at the time, but I now proudly declare it to be my life’s ambition. My goals went beyond just making money or getting a job at a large company. My true goal is to become financially stable so that I may provide someone else with a better life.
At the Jaipuria Institute of Management, unexpected opportunities can arise.
My first objectives when I enrolled at Jaipuria Institute of Management were to live life to the fullest and find a respectable profession. My experience there, though, ended up being different and pleasant. It gave me possibilities that I never had while I was in school. Then I got the assignment to write our overall journey, goal, and the obstacles to achieving that goal. I was so confused about what to write because I never had an interesting journey or goal or I think I was not courageous enough to say my goal to anyone because it was somewhat different from others’ goals.
Dr. Daneshwar Sharma Sir Guidance:
Our CRW mentor, Dr. Daneshwar Sharma, gave us the chance to tackle and go through the hurdles of our choice. Four tasks were available to us: time management, public speaking, screen time, and health. Public speaking seemed to be the best option for me.
Selecting the Obstacle
I understood that my fear of public speaking would be a significant barrier to achieving my goal. I had been putting off taking on this difficult challenge for a long time. However, I was aware that getting over this anxiety was crucial to my development as a person and to effectively share my particular aim with others.
The Way to Overcome Phobia:
Dr. Daneshwar Sharma provided a detailed strategy for overcoming my phobia of public speaking. It was a methodical process that demanded commitment and constant work.
The strategy included:
Daily Newspaper Reading: I was instructed to spend 30 minutes each day reading the newspaper. This helped me broaden my knowledge and keep up with current events, both of which were helpful for public speaking.
Making Daily Speeches: Every day, I spent at least 20 minutes making a speech. Through practice, I was able to better organize my ideas, express them clearly, and gain confidence in my public speaking.
Make videos daily: The most challenging thing was having to record these everyday addresses. Although it was initially unsettling, recording myself speaking was an important step in overcoming my fear.
Dr. Sharma addressed the value of feedback in his lecture, “Seeking Daily Feedback.” I shared my recorded speech with a person I could trust every day and asked for their frank opinions.
Progress and Persistence:
For 11–12 days straight, I stuck to this schedule religiously. It was difficult at first and I was still afraid. But as the days passed, I saw changes. I was gradually developing more self-assurance and being more at ease speaking in front of an audience. I was able to discover areas for development thanks to the input I got. I will share my further experience in my next blog post.
Conclusion:
My experience is proof of the strength of determination and self-realization. It demonstrates how, with the right motivation, even the most INTROVERTED people can learn to communicate with confidence. It serves as a reminder that possibilities present themselves unexpectedly throughout our lives, and it is up to us to take advantage of these opportunities to grow and become the best versions of ourselves.
SHRUTI TIWARI
Jaipuria Talks Blog 