Key Learnings for Taking the First Steps in Overcoming Your Fear

Do:

• Recognize that your fear of speaking is natural. You are not weird, you are normal.

• Admit to yourself that avoiding the speaker's platform diminishes you. You can't stand out in a competitive environment if you won't stand up and speak.

• Ask yourself, "What is the right thing to do?" Then take action and put the fear of speaking behind you.

Don't:

• "Put off till tomorrow." Take action today.

• Take solace in the thought that you are an introvert or a "behind-the-scenes person." That has nothing to do with being able to speak.

• Try to get out of it when the opportunity to speak presents itself.