I am not picturing you nakedJune 14th, 2007 @ 7:01 am
I remember being assigned to a presentation group in high school. We had to choose a subject and write a report on it. Once the report was written one of the members of the group had to present it in front the entire class. As I recall, my group was lame. So I took the initiative and decided that we’d do our report on The Beatles. You know, since I was already an expert and had all the reference material we’d need.
When it was time to choose who would present our report to the class, all eyes turned to me. There was no discussion. I was giving the presentation. Fine by me. I figured at least this way it would be presented the right way, the way I wanted. The way The Beatles deserved.
I heard somewhere yesterday that the people’s #1 fear is speaking in front of a large group.
The #2 fear is dying.
I tell you what. I’m much more afraid of dying then I am of speaking in front of people.
In college when I was given an assignment to speak in front of my class, I didn’t mind. When I was asked by my professor to help him do a presentation, I jumped at the chance. When my Mom would tell me how nervous she was about teaching a class to her Cub Scout pack, I laughed at her.
It just never bothered me.
A few years ago I was asked by some of my Church leaders to participate in what I like to refer to as my speaking tour. Every few months I go to a different Church congregation and speak to them on an assigned topic. These are real live adults (and families) I’m speaking to. People who know a thing or two about life. People I strive to emulate. I’ve spoken to them on topics as varied as my thoughts on becoming a Mom, just weeks after Babboo was born, and our trips to Europe.
Recently The King and I spoke to a group of over 100 teenagers. This was very daunting. The topic we were given? Our own teenage years and how they made us into the (cough) fine (cough) adults we are now. The highlight of the night was hearing The King tell a 17 year old audience member that his black eye would help attract the ladies. And also when he showed off his skull and cross bone socks. The King likes to keep it real. Me, on the other hand, well I just didn’t tell the whole truth about my teenage years.
I don’t have any secrets of how I overcome the fear of speaking in front of people. I don’t imagine the audience naked, especially when they are underage. I don’t try to avoid eye contact. I don’t try to picture myself on a beach in Mexico. I just get up there and say what I came to say. And then sit down.
Last week The King’s Mom asked me how I manage to speak so often and in front of so many people. She said that she could never do it. That it would freak her out so much.
The God-honest truth as to how I do it?
As soon as I finish and sit down, I know that’s it. I know it’s over. I know I’m in the clear. I don’t worry about what I said wrong, or what I could have said differently, or if my hair was parted on the wrong side. It’s too late. I don’t care, because it’s over. I’m done.
That is, until the next time I have to speak to a different group.
So tell me, is there anything you don’t mind doing that others hate to do? Are there people out there that actually like to clean toilets?
Back in the Day · Churchy Stuff · Me
CPA Mom and Soccer Mom Angela
said,
June 14, 2007 at 5:51 pm
Well, not toilets but I do like to clean most everything else. And changing diapers never did bother me. And I LIVE to balance my checkbook. Not that it is so difficult since it is empty and all.
Public speaking I hate. One more reason to admire you.
heidikins
said,
June 14, 2007 at 5:53 pm
I’m with you on the public speaking - it’s never bothered me much. I also don’t mind the spider/cockroach/creepy-crawly-things squishing. And while I don’t like cleaning toilets, I do get a certain satisfaction with doing the dishes or organizing a messy corner of my apartment.
Operation Pink Herring
said,
June 14, 2007 at 6:02 pm
I hate public speaking. It’s one part fear, and two parts I just don’t want to do it. Ugh.
I also hate dusting.
But I love organizing things, making budgets, balancing checkbooks, cleaning out closets, and doing laundry… which I think most normal people hate. I don’t mind cleaning toilets… although you wouldn’t know it to look at mine.
Whitney
said,
June 14, 2007 at 6:02 pm
There are no words in the universe that I could string together to tell you how terrified I am of speaking in front of large groups of people. I shake. I talk to fast. I develop some weird lisp. It’s awful. And while none of this answers the question, I felt compelled to share.
Christar
said,
June 14, 2007 at 6:03 pm
I am the same way! I have no problems talking in front of groups of people. Now that I’m in college, I’m kind of a control freak, and always take the “group leader” initiative. I don’t like my grade in someone elses hands, so I always do the most of the work. I actually enjoy talking in front of people.
Another thing that I enjoy doing, that I’m not sure if others do (I’m sure there is) is to clean. I love the feeling knowing that EVERYTHING is clean and cleaned the way I want. I can get grumpy if things are messy and I don’t have a chance to clean them.
Audrey
said,
June 14, 2007 at 6:04 pm
I don’t mind public speaking, either. Don’t know why, it’s just never really bothered me.
I also really don’t mind mowing the lawn. In fact, I kind of enjoy it. It’s good exercise and I get to be outside and alone with my thoughts for a bit.
Sadie
said,
June 14, 2007 at 6:35 pm
I have never minded public speaking either…in fact I kind of like it. Everyone is listening to ME!! I also don’t mind cleaning, even toilets. I wouldn’t say I ENJOY cleaning, but I certainly like the satisfaction when it’s done.
I do enjoy mowing the lawn and making beds - I think it’s the symmetry of both activities that I like…I am kind of a neat freak.
Frema
said,
June 14, 2007 at 7:03 pm
One of the reasons I love to write is partly due to the fact that I trip all over myself in front of large groups. That’s probably the biggest thing that scares me about teaching my blogging class this fall. I’m glad it comes to you so easily!
As far as enjoying things that other people don’t like, I love making beds. The bedroom doesn’t look right unless the bed is made.
Mrs. CPA
said,
June 14, 2007 at 7:46 pm
I’m not really afraid of public speaking either, and I would always be the person elected to speak in front of the class.
And I think liking to do taxes counts as something other people don’t like to do.
Laurel
said,
June 14, 2007 at 7:48 pm
I hate public speaking. I do fine in a meeting, even if I’m the most junior person in the room. You might even say that I err on the side of loquaciousness. But put me in an audience situation and nuh-uh. No way!
I really admire people–like you–who can focus on what they’re saying and just do it! It’s a great talent!
Carrisa
said,
June 14, 2007 at 7:49 pm
I don’t like to speak publicly. I’m highly insecure and not very smart. I’m worried I’ll burp or say something stupid.
Steph
said,
June 14, 2007 at 8:41 pm
I’m not afraid to speak in public either. Maybe its because I’ve been forced to do it so much. (since I was sunbeam status) I worked as a camp counselor for teenagers every summer that I was in college and not only can I speak easily in front of large audiences, but I can dance and make a fool of myself without batting an eye. I’m not sure if that makes me normal or psycho, but I feel pretty good about it.
Brittany
said,
June 14, 2007 at 8:59 pm
If I’m adequately prepared, I enjoy talking in front of people. But if I prepared my material last-minutes… it sucks. The only time I’ve really freaked out about speaking in public was in college.I was asked to speak at graduation. I just couldn’t do it. I think it was mostly due to my hatred for organized education (and my hatred for the school). I couldn’t get up and talk about the road of life and all that graduation bull shit in front of a bunch of people I hated. So I told my professor that I had to work.
I wasn’t planning on going anyway. Graduations are LAME!!! (but then afterwards, I found out David Bednar spoke and I thought ‘Crap! maybe I should have gone!’ but then I remembered that I would have been speaking WITH him. Glad I didn’t do it!)
Long comment, eh? Oops!
janet
said,
June 14, 2007 at 9:00 pm
Hmmmm this is a good question. I haven’t done enough public speaking to know if I hate it, but I probably don’t LOVE it.
I don’t really mind doing dishes, they are my favorite of all chores. I also like planning things (like my wedding) which might be a bit unpopular, but not to the extent of public speaking!
Meg
said,
June 15, 2007 at 1:56 am
I am not a fan of speaking in front of groups of adults. I am just fine with first graders. And although it is something very few people know, I really enjoy cleaning toilets. Now I clean them often enough that they are never really gross. I am not sure how I would feel about cleaning a truly disgusting toilet.
angela
said,
June 15, 2007 at 2:20 am
I don’t mind public speaking if I know what I’m going to say ahead of time. I like to rehearse and rehearse and rehearse and then I’m just fine. But when I have to say stuff on the spot, like answer questions or present a project that I’m working on and defend my decisions to the clients, then I stress out and worry and panic. I don’t like being unprepared or put on the spot.
metalia
said,
June 15, 2007 at 2:51 am
Hmmm..I actually love vacuuming and washing dishes. I never DO these things, mind you (for I am lazy), but if I have to, I don’t particularly mind.
Cleaning out the fridge, however, is my worst chore ever; I avoid it like the plague.
metalia
said,
June 15, 2007 at 2:53 am
PS: PERFECT title for this post.
Chas
said,
June 15, 2007 at 4:36 am
It doesn’t sound as if you had anything to overcome in this category at all since it’s not a fear of yours. I was a teacher, so I’m not deathly afraid of public speaking, though there was a time when I was. I can’t think at the moment of anything that I really love doing that other people usually dislike. I’m sure there’s something…though it’s def. not cleaning toilets.
Jeannette
said,
June 15, 2007 at 9:26 am
I like public speaking a lot but I love public singing more!
I’m not much into household chores (except dishes) but I love sorting, organizing things & all the “money” chores.
And I don’t mind eating some things that are past the expiration date (yogurts for example) but I’m not sure this is what this post is about!
Lindsey
said,
June 15, 2007 at 1:22 pm
I don’t know how you do it. I get so nervous to speak in front of people. I’m a wimp…I can’t think of anything that I like to do that others hate…hmmm….i like going to the gym and some people HATE that!
haha
Rachel
said,
June 15, 2007 at 3:47 pm
I won’t say that I “like” to clean, but I like it done MY way which is why I prefer to do it.
Public speaking doesn’t really bother me all that much either, but, anything buggish, ants, wasps, bees, roaches, beetles, etc…those bother me ALOT!
SJ
said,
June 15, 2007 at 10:05 pm
I don’t mind cleaning toilets at all - or cleaning in general. I just like it done the way I want it done, so I do it. Weird I know.
Speaking in front of people never bothered me either.
Sadie
said,
June 19, 2007 at 12:59 am
I like folding laundry.
And I LOVE singing karaoke.