topic Started Toastmasters in Anxiety

Started Toastmasters

Spud48 — Sat, 23 Mar 2019 20:50:05 GMT

Hi All,

Long time struggles with self esteem and anxiety, I have a real fear of speaking in public and decided its time to try and master

this fear, also hoping it will help with my confidence. been to 3 sessions already and am really enjoying it. The people are very supportive and kind. it is a really nurturing environment. Would highly recommend.

Spud

Started Toastmasters

PamelaR — Sun, 24 Mar 2019 23:47:53 GMT

Hi Spud

Good on you for starting Toastmasters!! I know what you mean about public speaking. Took me years to overcome my fears too. I did it by becoming a presenter on a community radio station first (no one could see me - LOL). Then I progressed to MC at the weekly singing session. Lastly I went to a training session on delivering speeches. I think the lesson for me is - it doesn't happen over night. Takes time and commitment.

Thanks for sharing your good story Spud. Great to hear.

PamelaR

Started Toastmasters

quirkywords — Mon, 25 Mar 2019 00:26:39 GMT

Spud

hanks for starting this thread.

I was a member of Toastmasters for over 20 years ,on and off, and always found the people supportive and encouraging.

I was not anxious and I could speak in front of people so I learnt how to organise my thoughts and not to ramble- ok am still working on the rambling!! I discovered everyone has nerves but it is how you cope with them.

Spud well done on taking the plunge and I wish you the best.

quirky

Started Toastmasters

Mrs_Pimms — Fri, 05 Apr 2019 11:33:17 GMT

Hi Spud,

My husband attends Toastmasters and has come such a long way in the few years he's been going. His confidence is the main thing. Hope you gain as much as he has,

All the best!

Started Toastmasters

Spud48 — Sun, 07 Apr 2019 10:48:36 GMT

Thanks Mrs Pimms - I hope to grow from it. just have to keep going!

Spud

Started Toastmasters

PamelaR — Tue, 09 Apr 2019 01:28:43 GMT

Hi Spud

I know what you're talking about when you say - just have to keep going!

Being someone who's lived with severe anxiety all my life, I know what it's like. It is so easy to stop going and so hard to go. In my earlier years I was unaware what it was that caused this - 'not going' behaviour. Now that I am aware it is easier 'to go'. As I start getting panicky when it comes time to go (previously I'd just stay at home), I now recognise what's happening and ask myself some questions:

why don't I want to go?
what will happen if I do go?
what can I do to help myself feel okay if I do go?
how can I make this an enjoyable experience for myself?

9 times out of 10 I go now. Maybe some of this might help you to think to?

Keep up the good work. It is a hard road to travel but well worth it.

Kind regards

PamelaR

Started Toastmasters

Spud48 — Mon, 15 Apr 2019 10:42:19 GMT

Thanks for your message, I have continued to go and have really enjoyed it.

I picked up a couple of awards last week. One thing i have worked out is that i am to busy

with all my commitments and that adds to my Anxiety. so I am stepping back on some of them and focussing

on what is important. My health and my family.

Thanks Agains for your kind support

Started Toastmasters

RicardoD — Wed, 24 Apr 2019 10:33:33 GMT

Well done for going to Toastmasters, must be such a confidence boost to stand up in front of people and speak. From my experience of being too busy, it's a double edged sword - the key I think is being busy at the right things, being busy at the things you WANT to be busy at rather than stuff you feel encumbered to do. There's a good book The Power of No by James Altuchur that talks about precisely that - and for what it's worth your health and you family sound about right to me! James does waffle into some higher energy stuff which you can ignore (or not!) but identifying the stuff you want to be busy with is important.

There's a George Bernard Shaw quotation which I find excellent:

This is the true joy in life—that being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one. That being a force of nature, instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy. I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and as long as I live it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die. For the harder I work the more I live. I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no brief candle to me. It’s a sort of splendid torch which I’ve got to hold up for the moment and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.