Public Speaking: We all doubt ourselves, until we don't

Every once in a while I’m lucky to be in the presence of an interesting, captivating and charismatic speaker that makes me wonder how they got to be as good as they are.  Sure they have practiced, practice DOES make perfect, but how did they acquire the skills to stand up in front of a large crowd with impressively straight posture, discussing an idea so succinctly for 20 minutes without shaking, stuttering or batting an eye? Recently, I decided to change my career path and underwent a certification program that involved a Public Speaking course.  As much as I wanted to take this course and learn to be a great speaker, the idea of actually having to speak in front of a room full of the people unnerved me.  I had never understood people who enrolled in Toastmasters.  After all, who in their right minds enjoys standing in front of a room full of strangers with judging eyes while you're forced to present a topic you likely know nothing about?  Then I realized, how else does one improve your skills?  Presenting to a mirror will only get you so far.

I’ll never forget the first day I went into that public speaking class. At this stage of the program our classmates didn’t know one another very well so I don’t think I’d be alone in saying it was like being in a room full of strangers. I’m sure we all had similar concerns about what was in store for us over the next couple of hours, feelings of self-doubt and worries of dare I say, choking, on the presentation stage.  Then in walked Pamela, our public speaking professor. Now Pamela at first impression can appear intimidating. She is a tall, excellently poised, noticeably professional and attractive woman who smells of confidence. And she hasn’t even begun talking yet. When she does I realize that while she not only smells of confidence, she exemplifies it through every perfectly annunciated syllable that comes out of her mouth.

But then, at some point, I realize I'm not feeling nervous anymore.  I’m actually relaxed and completely engaged in Pamela’s voice. Momentarily I have forgotten that I will at some point in the very near future, be expected to give an impromptu speech in front of all these strangers.  Pamela has that calming energy most of us dream we had. She can make a room full of clammy hand, nervous stutters feel like they not alone in their public speaking fears and can teach you the tools to remove that doubt. Throughout our first session I soaked up more speaking knowledge than I could have ever imagined learning. I left that first session excited to return for the second.

Pamela Hart, founder of Release Your Voice, can teach you to not only communicate confidently in front of a group, but to make people interested in what you’re telling them even.  She'll teach you the skills to pronounciate your words clearer, stand taller, and breathe the same confidence she does.  Our classroom transformed in ways I cannot begin to describe. Those who could not stand on day-one were leading 10-minute presentations by our last session without so much as blinking out of line.  Pamela taught us how to cater our presentations to individual needs and to ensure you have a “little something for everyone” in every presentation you deliver.  Her talent and passion for what she does is incredibly rare and that is why I KNEW I had to find a way for her to partner up with YWiB. I wanted to bottle her skill and share it with everyone I knew; family, friends, even enemies so they could be better people. She’s THAT good.

Pamela Hart is a game changer and I’m so proud she agreed to partner with YWiB and lead our Get Vocalized! confident communication event this Saturday, May 12th at SFU Downtown Campus. Do not miss out as these skills can be used in every aspect of your life both professionally and personally. Tickets are on sale until Thursday, May 10th at noon, purchase yours today.