Mastering Public Speaking: A Journey from Anxiety to Confidence
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Chapter 1: Building Confidence Through Real Estate Calls
Today’s highlight was a productive conversation with a couple interested in auctioning their log home in Ontario. With significant changes on the horizon in my real estate auction career, this morning’s positive interaction greatly uplifted my spirits.
Yesterday, I felt a wave of anxiety when I reached out to the potential sellers about scheduling a call. It had been a while since I last engaged in an auction assignment, leaving me feeling a bit out of practice. Additionally, phone conversations have never been my strong suit, making this a skill I desperately need to refine.
Although this call fell slightly outside my usual responsibilities, I knew I had to step up. Initially, I considered passing the call to a colleague, but with my job evolving, I recognized that I would need to handle more of these discussions in the future. So, I took the plunge and set a time to connect.
The call exceeded my expectations, and I was pleasantly surprised by my own performance. I spoke clearly without stumbling, rushing, or filling the dialogue with unnecessary fillers. I conveyed a sense of assurance that I often lack.
After reflecting on the call, I realized that I could replicate this success in future communications and speaking engagements.
Section 1.1: The Power of Speaking Notes
To grasp what went well during the call, I first had to reflect on my past failures. Presentations have always been a source of dread for me, as my introverted nature made speaking to groups quite challenging.
However, I’ve had moments of success too. My presentations in my first year of business school were particularly strong. One key difference was my approach to preparation: I opted for brief talking points instead of lengthy scripts.
Throughout my business classes, we often had limited preparation time, where we’d discuss topics in groups for 10 minutes before presenting. The requirement to present multiple times throughout the year forced me to adapt.
In the past, I relied heavily on scripts, writing out everything I intended to say and attempting to memorize it for the big day. This habit carried over into my real estate auction role, where I created cold-call scripts and read from them during calls.
Unfortunately, this method proved ineffective. My written words didn’t always translate well into spoken language, and relying on a script made me rigid. If an unexpected interruption occurred, I would often stumble over my thoughts and lose my train of conversation.
Instead of crafting a full script for yesterday's call, I jotted down essential notes to guide my discussion, such as:
- Emphasizing timing over pricing: we maximize returns through competition
- Years of marketing condensed into just 6 weeks
- 5 weeks of exposure to attract 3–5 bidders
- Cancellation and follow-up calls
- Auctions typically last 5 days online, fostering more bidders
- The only cost to sellers is the listing agent's fee
Having these concise notes instead of a scripted dialogue made a significant difference. I focused on having a natural conversation rather than obsessing over the perfect wording.
Subsection 1.1.1: Cultivating Confidence
Merely taking notes won’t automatically make you an exceptional public speaker; confidence plays a crucial role. A significant factor behind my successful call was my familiarity with the real estate auction industry, which bolstered my confidence in what I was discussing.
When you’re knowledgeable about a subject, you naturally speak with more assurance. My experience in this field has enhanced my ability to communicate effectively about real estate auctions.
However, you don’t need to be an expert to engage confidently. Despite the call being somewhat outside my usual scope, my belief in my capacity to handle mistakes helped me maintain composure. I understood that even if I faltered, it wouldn’t be catastrophic.
Reflecting on past errors, I’ve learned that few missteps are truly disastrous. Whether it was a multi-million dollar deal gone awry (which has happened to me), each experience serves as a valuable lesson. I now approach speaking engagements with the mindset that life continues regardless of the outcome. It’s not about presenting a flawless image, but rather showcasing the best version of myself.
Section 1.2: Embracing Discomfort
I hope these insights prove beneficial, as they have for me. I am eager to return to my assignments (especially if I land the Japan project) and further hone my calling and presentation skills.
I’ve become increasingly comfortable in challenging situations such as cold-calling and presentations, aiming to turn these once-awkward experiences into my comfort zone. A vital key to achieving success lies in embracing uncomfortable situations.
In this video, "5 Proven Techniques To Overcome Fear of Public Speaking," you'll discover effective strategies to help you face your public speaking fears head-on.
Chapter 2: Managing Anxiety in Public Speaking
The video "No Freaking Speaking: Managing Public Speaking Anxiety" offers practical advice and techniques to help you manage and overcome your anxiety while speaking in public.