I have always been known as quiet, but growing older I have found it easier to be more outgoing. I still have a long way to go, especially in casual conversation, but public speaking is an area where I’ve really improved. I’m sure doing the announcements, and now scripture readings, prayers, etc., at church have helped get me over the stage fright.
This past October I was part of a panel on Disaster Recovery at the Community College IIPS conference. A while back a vendor we worked with asked if I would be interested in participating in a session and I agreed. It turned out that I would be presenting with four other people, so it wasn’t as bad as being the sole speaker. I made sure I was prepared, though, and had no problem speaking. I was actually better prepared than some of the others on the panel and they thanked me afterwards for carrying their part of the discussion.
Then last week and tomorrow I volunteered to teach classes on a reporting software package we use at work. I know it well enough to teach, but still I kind of surprised myself that I felt like getting front of a class. It’s been a few years since I last taught a class like that. It went well though — again, it’s good to be prepared.