Public Speaking and a New Painting

Last night I completed my second ‘major’ public speaking event.

When I took my promotion three years ago, I knew there would be a community education component, but I never anticipated I would be speaking in front of crowds or reporters.  My first foray into true public speaking was around two years ago and I spoke in tandem with a partner.  It was completely nerve-racking, but I did well and my confidence swelled.

In the intervening time, I have done a lot of educational speaking engagements to other professionals in my community and each time, it gets easier.  But I know all the people I speak to, I partner with them professionally daily.

Last night, I was part of a panel and speaking to the public, and directly prior, I started getting really nervous.  When I was younger, I was terribly shy and public speaking was a curse.  I would stutter, forget words, and sometimes say the complete wrong thing.  I would sweat through my shirt and turn bright red.  The experience would be horrifying.  I typically get nervous at this point that I will drop a ‘cuss’ or something equally unprofessional.  I do have a mouth on me.

I didn’t do any of those things though.  We didn’t have a working microphone, but my voice was loud, confident and clear.  I shared my information and worked to dispel some of the fear put into the crowd by other speakers.  I rocked it.

That is growth.  If you had asked me when I took public speaking in college if I would ever use it,  my answer would be a resounding ‘hell no’.  Out of duty, I took the steps, got out of my comfort zone and have grown.  The fear is still there, but it gets less and less and easier to quell.   I didn’t sweat or turn red.  It was awesome.

So do something positive that terrifies you.  Personal growth doesn’t occur in the comfort zone.

Lastly, as a bonus, here is my newest painting re-creation!  I started this painting a few months ago and it was an experiment in color and texture.  I hated it.  Then I decided
to save it the way I have saved other failed experiments” with spray paint.  I used some polymer medium to coat the canvas board, got out a few complementary colors of spray paint and my mineral spirits.  Voila!  I now love it.