Look Who it Was Random video

Why Is Public Speaking So Scary?

2,588 views · Published 11 February 2014 · 8:58 · Indexed 16 October 2026

Channel: Dr. Aziz Gazipura · 2014 · Howto & Style

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http://SocialConfidenceCenter.com Why Is Public Speaking So Scary?

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How come just the thought of doing it fill us with dread? Why does our heart race, our chest get tight, and our mind go blank in front of a group of people?

When I was really stuck in shyness, talking in front of a group of people was out of the question. I avoided it at all costs. But even small group introductions and ice-breakers were anxiety-producing.

I'll never forget going to the first day of my internship at a community clinic in Palo Alto, California. All the interns and trainees were gathered in a large room, sitting in a circle and we were going around one by one and introducing ourselves. People were saying their names, what school they came from, and something interesting about themselves. I was so tense I could hardly breath.

Worse still, I was second to last, so I had to sit there festering until it was my turn. I could barely even listen to the other people as it got closer and closer to me.

What am I going to say? No, that sounds terrible. That sounds lame. Wow, look at that person going now. He looks way more confident than you do. And he's way better looking.

My turn.

I'm frozen. I'm shut down. I stand up, make minimal eye contact and share in a flat monotone. "My name is Aziz. I go to the Stanford-PGSP consortium. Uh... I like cats."

Ouch.

I sit back down, with adrenaline and cortisol coursing through my veins. The introductory meeting continues around me, but I am stuck in the past. My mind keep replaying that one moment over and over again.

Oh my God, that was pathetic! I like cats. You sound so ridiculous. Yours was the worst. What is wrong with you??

Can you relate to this dreadful experience of public speaking?

Fast forward 7 years and everything is different in my life now (to learn more about how I overcame my fear of public speaking and much more - check out My Story on the About Me page).

I began relentlessly pursuing public speaking opportunities and confronted my fears. I started to watch and study some of the most dynamic and influential speakers in the world - Tony Robbins and Les Brown being two of my favorites.

After practicing and studying it for almost a decade, I've discovered the answer to this question: why is public speaking so scary?

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