Glossophobia? What’s that?

It is a medical term defining the fear of public speaking. Experts estimate that around 80% of people suffer of some sort from social anxiety regarding public speaking. Speaking in public is considered one of the most common fears, ranking among death, snakes and heights.

At my first public speech, I did not want to be on stage and one leader told me: “The only thing that is stopping you from where you are to where you want to go is your comfort zone”. It made me stop and think, I could not ignore this advice and I hade to give it a try.

While walking up to the stage, I only remember a bright light shining in my eyes and the audience disappearing in front of me, the increasing feeling of my heart speeding up and the irresistible urge to run away. Unfortunately, this was not an option. So, I embraced the moment and I challenged myself to do my best. The good news is that time flies even when you are not having the fun like such as when you are striving to overcome a fearful moment.

Since this experience, I have realized over this past year how many times I have had to push myself outside of my comfort zone. I used to hate the idea of public speaking, but my desire to improve was stronger than my fear.

As the year comes to a close, I would like to thank all the people who have supported me to become more self-confident and to overcome not just glossophobia but to improve professionally and personally as well. Being thrust out of my comfort zone has allowed me to cultivate new strengths. And I know I will continually be pushed into new uncomfortable zones, and although they may be scary, they will help me to grow and mold me into an even better version of myself.

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