Taking a Big Risk

Posted byVanya Wryter ConsultingPosted inEducation, Work SkillsTags:, , , , , , , , ,

The biggest risk a person takes is usually something that drastically changes their life. The thought that you could fail miserably and be laughed at or put down by your nonsupporters can deter you from taking that significant risk. It’s easier to do what’s comfortable and be in your safe place.

I took a major risk years ago when I decided on a career change. The big hurdle I would have to overcome would be public speaking. Of course, I was intimidated by the thought of speaking in front of people I did not know. The first time I spoke in front of a group of twenty-five people, I wasn’t very loud and the people at the back of the room couldn’t hear me. I was also worried about forgetting my lines.

After presenting for about a month, my throat hurt and I discovered the roof of my mouth had a soft palette that I hadn’t known existed until that point in my life. I thought that I had grown something in my mouth!

Fast forward a decade and I was presenting in front of groups of fifty to two hundred people. My confidence had grown since my early presentation days. Despite having so much experience, I still got nervous the day before a presentation, but I am a lot more confident. The trick is to practice what I’m going to say in my head before the actual presentation. Although I refer to notes, I try to remember what I’m going to say as if I don’t have notes. Then I picture myself speaking to the audience and calm myself down (because I still feel nervous sometimes).

I feel a lot more confident about speaking in front of a large group now than when I started.

One day, I would like to speak at a Ted Talk. This would involve speaking in front of a group of thousands. As confident as I am in speaking, I don’t think I have the time or energy to practice a speech that is eighteen minutes long until the words are flawless. I think I will get tired of repeating the speech many times as I practice it. Also, I’m not sure what topic I would be so passionate about that I would spend months practicing the same words over and over until I know them in my sleep.

So, a big risk that I’d like to take but haven’t been able to is making a speech in front of thousands of people.

Daily writing prompt
What’s the biggest risk you’d like to take — but haven’t been able to?
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20 thoughts on “Taking a Big Risk”

  2. Hi, I enjoyed reading your post. Were you scared more about the quality of your speeches and how the audience would react or was it genuine nervousness. I thought I was good at public speaking, I’m a current senior in college and whenever I have to present, I get way too nervous. I speak fast so that I can finish speaking and that I can remember my lines. When you decided to take this risk, did you go into being like I gotta deal with this so I must practice or “I’m doing this, I will learn whether I like it or not” I like risks but I genuinely don’t know how to take those risks. I am going to graduate soon and the biggest risk I see is emailing every company something along the lines for a job. Surely, it isn’t the best option but it’s a risk right? That is the risk..? I doubt myself and I wonder how you overcame your doubts.

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    1. I had to overcome my fear of public speaking because it was necessary for my job. When I started, I wasn’t very good at speaking but I got better with practice. I also speak too fast, so I tell myself beforehand to speak slower. It’s hard to take risks, but if you don’t, you won’t get what you want. Persistence is important, especially if you’re emailing many companies for your first job. I would say that building connections and networking is important for standing out from the crowd of other job applicants.

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