The Daunting Challenge of Public Speaking - Time Out #349

We all know certain things in life are difficult to accomplish. For the past 2 years, we were "cocooned" from most other people, due to the deadly Covid-19 virus worldwide pandemic. Forced alterations in our way life, during the pandemic, caused some previous difficult things become easier to do.. At least, that's what this humble scribe thinks, dear readers in Our Town and far beyond.

Before I get too deep in the weeds and down a rabbit trail, I need to tell you I think a major human obstacle is public speaking in front of a group of people. Possibly, the larger the group, the more difficult it is to get up in front of folks, and present any type of talk. Many potential speakers never go through this speaking exercise, simply because they don't want to for a variety of reasons; most commonly because they are afraid of the moment. Simply said, they get "stage fright". They lack the confidence they need to succeed with an audience in front of them.

Enter Covid-19 two-year isolation, and, resulting Zoom (or other modern technology) video/audio presentations for group meetings. Now, it is commonplace to have computer-generated, real-time meetings with groups all over Planet Earth. The meeting places are many times our individual homes, and as long as we are wearing "appropriate" clothing, only visible to our electronic cameras, we get our messages across. The end result is almost like we are meeting as a group in a business venue. For the past 2 interviewing years, that is exactly what has occurred for me as an active member of the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine Interviewing Subcommittee. We have interviewed all our potential medical school applicants via Zoom. It was awkward at first for me after 21 years of in-person interviewing in either Oklahoma City or Tulsa, but I adapted to the unusual situation. In fact, I became comfortable with the Zoom format.

Revisiting to the public speaking topic.

There are lots of ways to gain experience and confidence in this continually challenging area. I have mentioned in an earlier installment, my father, Col. C.H. Breedlove, thrust me (at 5) into a public-speaking role when he frequently had me recite "The Wreck of the Hesperus" in front of small groups of people,. Also, when I was living in the Birmingham, AL, area in the mid-1970's, I joined Toastmasters International. This is a great organization for building one's self-confidence and personal, mental organizational skills, essential for speaking in front of people. Other helpful tools include taking speech classes during one's educational years, and being involved with organizations such as 4-H, FFA, and other clubs that teach and encourage public speaking..

Because for over 50 years I have been involved in healthcare, athletic officiating, worldwide travel, and several other varied activities, I enjoy talking to assorted groups in Our Town and other locations. I always consider it an honor to stand in front of a group of people, and relate my many life experiences, while also answering my audience's questions, and, always, mixing in a great deal of humor..

So, if you have refined your public speaking experiences via Zoom connections the last two Covid-19 years, I would encourage you to step out of your comfort zone, and speak in person in front of a local group on a topic you have knowledge.

I will be right behind you, public speaking the next opportunity someone asks me!