For the younger me who could not public speak

If you look at it as 'public speaking' and put a name to this invisible foe, it will be daunting. Do not give it a presence.

As a child throughout all my schooling, primary, high school, uni... The time while sitting and waiting, knowing I am presenting at some point in that session, and the moment walking up and even standing there... I felt this feeling of discomfort. As I got older, it slowly went away but it was still there, just a little more desensitised.

As I began to teach others, I began to observe more. I observed the ones who were presenting religious ideologies in public, surrounded by thousands of passerbys. They were not fearful, rather much more passionate and with fire in every expression they made.

I observed the ones who were handing out flyers, or having stalls of information, mostly in sales. Car sales, gym memberships, real estate. These people were fundamentally different to those pressing ideologies. Whether it be motivational speakers on stage or preachers, or a person on substances speaking to random passerbys... The key distinction from any other form of public speaking was that they were passionate in WHAT they were speaking about and WHY. I believe this is the key distinction. Passion.

If you find passion in the topic you are speaking in, the rest will come naturally. Research and some experience would be strongly advised though. But if you have the passion, you most likely will do that anyway.

This is more so for the younger kids, especially for me during my schooling, but definitely relevant in adults as well. I see many presentations/meetings lead by adults who are not truly passionate about what they are speaking about. And that shows as years of routine forms. The real estate agents speaking with 'confidence' with good posture, all the text book boxes ticket... Humans can tell through a heart to heart connection, when someone is not truly passionate or genuine in what they are speaking. If the $ is the motive, humans can ultimately tell.

So the lesson here is, find passion in what you are going to talk about. Maybe there is no need to talk? For kids doing their assessment, you may feel that already. Why do I need to present? Humans are communicators. We all communicate. It is a necessary skill to be able to convey your beliefs. Find what your beliefs are early. Be curious. There can be passion in anything, if you view it in a certain angle. Things are more similar than they seem.