Have you ever stood in front of a group of people with debilitating stage fright?
It’s a feeling many of us know all too well. However, being part of a musical can dramatically improve a child’s confidence and public speaking abilities. These are crucial skills they will need to land their dream job in the future.
I remember when I was competing in the Miss America pageants, I hated practicing for the interview. I was a very strong dancer, but I was so self-conscious when I had to use my words that I often blew the interview. It was unfortunate because I still did very well in the competitions. I scored very high and won most of the pageants, so I believed that I didn’t have to get better at the interview. I didn’t force myself to be uncomfortable because I still won the titles… until the interview percentage grew and became a much more important element of the competition.
It wasn’t too late, but I felt like it was. I was so afraid that I refused to practice interview questions. ALL I NEEDED TO DO WAS PRACTICE! But I couldn’t see how important it was to practice, and the anxiety from the interview would have subdued with practice. I had such terrible stage fright that I refused to practice for the competition, and it was a HUGE mistake.
To this day, I still get anxiety with public speaking. I am certain that if I had put in the time and practice when I was a confident 12-year-old, I would be much better off in my career and business as an adult. I always think back to that time and know that I got in my own way not only for that competition but also for my success as an adult.
If you can relate, please take action today and don’t wait until it’s too late. DO SOMETHING SCARY TODAY AND YOU WILL BENEFIT FOREVER.
Yours truly,
Brittany Noltimier
