Public speaking.. what is it?

When I was younger.. “public speaking” was one of my biggest fears, I never liked attention, standing up on the stage receiving a recognition certificate at primary school was horrific, I even had my older sister go into lolly scrambles for me when we would go along to Friday night races – much more than once or twice I was that petrified of the crowds and judgment.

It was rare that I would strive to make the starting line-up, one on one tackles in rugby were things to avoid, my life was all about shuffling along in the background.

Growing up it was a part of neglect, but as I grew along with the journey of where I wanted to get to I was forced to get more comfortable with presenting in front of others, getting familiar with my own senses whilst having 200 eyeballs glaring at you.

Moving abroad assisted with the problems significantly, I fell into a role with I was forced to meet new people of the world every, single, day.

From walks of lives of those who were working entry level jobs through to the CEO’s of the big banks and Hollywood actors.

It helped me realise that we are all coincidently human, no one is more special than others – we are literally here for a small amount of time, just trying our best.

Yes, a lot of people claim that others have “done better” than them, but what is better?

It was recognizable that the entry level worker can live a content, if not more content life than the CEO’s. Of course, there is likely to be more money in the account, but the man at the entry level job with a happy family at home is a lot more appealing than the high wired stress of the particular CEO on his third marriage.

What I am getting at, is the fear of judgment need to be, what you want to say in front of a crowd is entirely up to you, and getting up there and giving it a go is something that.. probably most people, like me, have been trying to avoid for a very long time.

Growing up and now mid-thirties, with the lessons learnt, the thousands of faces I have been in front of whilst travelling about the world, writing my wedding speech to present in front of 100 people was one of the greatest achievements I could possibly do.

When writing it, I thought of the opportunity I had given myself to be able to speak in front of a crowd, not just any crowd, but a hand selected group of people who are there to celebrate your wedding day with you and your new wife.

I had the chance to pull a lot of family into a room, a handful of my best friends, my wife’s longest friends and family, and simply speak to them.

Be open, be vulnerable.

Look at every one with an open eye and have them understand that this was my chance to say what I have always wanted to say in that non-judgemental space that my wife and I created.

I got to address my values of family and what love is, I had the chance to talk about how exciting future endeavours will be, the opportunity to re-tell a bit of the past and how I once was never looking to get into the starting lineup, or gather lollies off the ground — but to me, the most important part was the chance to thank my parents, family and friends for the backing and support to be able to grow in life and learn though the journey.

I didn’t see the wedding speech as public speaking or anything, but more as the chance to stand in front of everyone and tell them you love them, the ones that are there in front of you, but more importantly the ones that have passed.

To any man that is unsure.. I hope this note finds you, and just remember who you are, and that we are all only human

SBG