Out of the comfort zone

At the conclusion of the sixth session of the Dale Carnegie course on public speaking I recently enrolled in, I thought, "I might excel in this."

Up to this point, nothing has been as frightening to me as the idea of being in the spotlight, whether it's standing on a stage or delivering a speech. I had known for a while that such a course could be beneficial, but I was pleasantly surprised to find out that I could actually gain from it and find it enjoyable.

A while back, my friend recommended that I attend a trial class with a coach. I then made a choice to enrol in the Dale Carnegie course. I typically enjoy taking various courses, as I have a strong desire to acquire new knowledge. However, during a period of unemployment, I saw this as an ideal chance to enhance my self-esteem and expand my knowledge.

I completed the accelerated version of the general course with them during May and June. Instead of the usual eight weeks with one class per week, this course was condensed into four weeks with classes twice a week.

I successfully completed the course on June 15. The course focuses on enhancing self-confidence, improving interpersonal and communication skills, fostering leadership abilities, and enhancing one's overall perspective on life.

Participating in the course enabled me to identify my strengths and areas for improvement more clearly. Through prior self-improvement efforts, I had already developed a reasonable level of confidence. Surprisingly, I discovered that I was more adept at engaging in conversations than I had previously believed.

Towards the end of the course, we engaged in exercises involving giving and receiving compliments, which provided me with a new perspective on how others perceive me. This revelation was a delightful surprise as it highlighted aspects of myself that I had not recognized before.

It was a pleasant surprise to learn that others perceived me as composed during my performances, with any underlying stress not being apparent externally. I also found joy in realizing that speaking in public is akin to writing, as both involve storytelling in an engaging and articulate manner.

As the course concluded, I felt inspired to enhance my speaking skills and even entertained the idea that I might come to relish speaking and narrating, something I had never considered before.

Having excellent coaches and being part of a supportive group was truly rewarding. As the weeks went by, we gradually opened up to each other, deepening our connections and understanding. It became evident that we all shared similar levels of stress regarding our projects and each had a unique story to share.

This experience highlighted the common ground we often share with others, beyond initial impressions. Rather than solely focusing on my own projects and development, I found myself equally captivated by their narratives and delighted to witness their continuous growth and success, week after week.

My experience with the course was truly enjoyable, and I wholeheartedly encourage others to step out of their comfort zone and embrace new challenges. I firmly believe that pushing ourselves beyond familiar boundaries is essential for building self-confidence and personal growth.