Ever dream about being on stage? Not everyone does. As a matter of fact if you search the internet for ‘Number One Fear’ you will find that public speaking is listed by many as THE number one fear. Even greater than the fear of death or dying!
Jerry Seinfeld famously made reference to this by quipping, “So if I’m at a funeral, I’d rather be the guy in the coffin than the guy speaking about the guy in the coffin?!” Too funny, and isn’t that crazy?! Of course it’s because facing death is not only a huge unknown but is something very difficult to imagine for most of us.
On the other hand we can all easily remember anxieties related to having to stand up in class at some point to answer a question from the teacher, or to deliver a book report, or some similar ‘public’ speaking opportunity (test? trial? humiliation?). At a private club where I was once a member, I was speaking to a lady on this topic while she and I waited for our respective parties to show up. The conversation turned to our avocations. Being paid to speak was little more than a hope for me at the time, so…
I revealed to her my vision for an amazing speaking gig. In this vision I am just off stage, waiting to be announced. The house lights are off. All is pitch black except for a single spotlight illuminating a mic stand in the center of the stage. The sound coming from the audience is like standing near a diesel locomotives at idle. The volume and constant noise tell me beyond doubt the crowd is in the tens of thousands.
Realizing the size of the crowd, a smile begins to spread across my face. Oddly, my heart rate levels out even as the adrenaline begins to ratchet up. I flex my hands and fingers, roll my head and shoulders, and then…. I hear my name and step confidently into the darkness, crossing the stage to the place where I belong – in the spotlight, mic in hand, and I’m on!
When I finished regaling my momentary acquaintance with this story, she was white as a ghost! No doubt about her number one fear!
Is being on stage, mic in hand, your dream, your passion? Discover how to make it happen, determine to elevate it to a life priority, and turn your dream into reality. Now that’s living!
Fearlessly,
JD
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