Me? A Public Speaker

In high school, I was pretty shy. Even though I knew almost everyone I went to school with, the thoughts of speaking in front of a classroom terrified me. Flash forward to college... it didn't get any better. As a matter of fact, I waited until the last semester of my senior year to take public speaking, a requirement to graduate. God knows, I prayed many times over four years that the school would change that requirement. So, I get up in front of the class to give my first speech and what happens? I almost hyperventilate. And yes, I even had to grab the paper bag at the podium, strategically placed because there's always one goober in every class that will need it. On that day, I was the goober. I could feel it coming on: my hand started shaking, I began to sweat (in places I didn't even know had sweat glands), my teeth began to chatter, and then I just couldn't catch my breath. The worst part of all this? The class was videotaped so I got to watch it all happen after the speeches were done that day. To say it was awkward and embarrasing is an understatement. But, in my 20s, something great happened. I overcame that fear and realized that I am a really good public speaker. I have an ability to engage and entertain an audience. I say all this because in about 40 minutes, I will be entering a room filled with strangers to present a session on Worker's Comp to EMS Professionals. I am always nervous before doing this, but Liz Patterson once said that if you aren't nervous before getting in front of an audience, you are overconfident and sure to screw up. Let's face it, I want to be a trial attorney, so my ability to stand in front of people and make them listen to me is crucial. I plan to rock the room and knock it out of the park. People who walked in not caring about worker's comp will walk out pumped up. That's my goal for the day.
I can stand in front of an audience of thousands and feel right at home. But the funny thing is, a dinner party and speaking one-on-one with someone scares me to death! Maybe by my 50's, I will have conquered that too.
Started my day with a rocking, kick ass 4 mile run in 40:17. My fastest, sustained run ever. Fantastic way to start this day. After I speak, we are headed to Myrtle Beach to join the rest of the family for our annual dysfunctional family weekend. God help us all!