Speech Glossophobia

Do you suffer from glossophobia? For many years, I suffered from this unpleasant condition. Then, I joined Toastmasters and I was cured!

Glossophobia is the fear of public speaking. The word glossophobia comes from the Greek glossa (tongue) and phobos (fear or dread). According to some studies, this is the most common fear - more even than the fear of death.

I am going to tell you my story. It begins with a midlife career change - which made it imperative to get over my dread of public speaking.

Body of speech ... (Tell the whole story ...)

(Note to my web site readers: Of course, when I gave the actual speech, I expanded the following bullet points into a story.)

• Stay-at-home mom, then went back to school and work - 20 years ago, in 1988

• "Assignment" to work in a department and report back to group ... and how I reacted!

• First evaluation - "good technical skill" ... "poor communication skills"

• Learned about TM from a co-worker - "group that meets at lunchtime and gives speeches to each other" - how I found a meeting and joined, as soon as I could!

• Describe how I gradually felt more comfortable, first with TT's, then I was encouraged to give my Ice Breaker.

• Club's 50^th anniversary, volunteered to speak in front of a group of strangers … Realized this was a breakthrough! Work problems had been fixed, too!

• Found a new club, when I retired - Shaker Toastmasters

Yes, Toastmasters cured me of my dread of public speaking, of my glossophobia! Toastmasters changed my life and saved my career.

Now, I belong to Toastmasters for many other reasons - to have fun, to help others as I was helped and to continue to improve my speaking skills.