Yesterday was the most nerve-racking day of the year for me.
A month or so ago, I received an email from a former professor, asking me to speak at COMM Day at the University of Central Florida in a break out session about blogging and social media. I was apprehensive at first, but since I’ve done some public speaking about blogging and social media before, I said yes.
A week or so later, I got a follow-up email asking me to be the keynote speaker at the event. Talk about nerves!!! All of my previous public speaking experience related to the blog has been in a panel or Q&A format, so I was really nervous about being a one-woman show and speaking on my own for 30 – 45 minutes. I said no, explaining that I wasn’t sure I was up the the challenge and that I didn’t want to let her down.
Then I got another email from my former professor. (I should note that I think the world of this professor and actually interned for her husband in college. So I basically love their whole family. Oh, and she’s a writer. A very talented, persuasive writer.) She told me she believed in me, outlined talking points for my speech and asked me again.
I said yes.
And then the nerves really kicked in!
Yesterday I gave my first keynote speech and I survived. Thank goodness!
I felt the most enormous rush of relief when it was over. I also left time for Q&A at the end of my speech and was afraid I’d hear crickets, so I am very grateful to everyone who raised their hand and kept the conversation going. It was unnerving, fun, exciting and a thrill. And I’m so glad it’s over! Phew!
An added bonus of attending COMM Day yesterday is that I got to hang out with my best friend Laurel for a few hours. She works at the college and attended the event and it was great to see her! (I’ll be back in Orlando next weekend for her bachelorette party. Woop!)
Now I’m off to a different college, the College of Central Florida, to set up for the Taste of Ocala tonight. See ya later!
Question of the Morning
- What is one of the most nerve-racking experiences you’ve had in your life?
- What was the last thing you did that took you out of your comfort zone?
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The only thing I can think of is back in high school the first time I ever danced at Nationals in the finals. And good job that’s so exciting, I’m sure you were great!
OMG I LOVE THIS! Congrats! What an honor!!! 🙂 I would love to have heard what you said!
Nerve Wracking experience for me? Well my job/life is to public speak, and go on auditions, so I guess when I have BIG auditions I get a tiny bit nervous… Oh wait, my latest nerve wracking experience: my first stand-up comedy show! Wow. That is just a whole other level of nervousness! HA!
that’s awesome! what an honor!! share what you spoke about – i’m so curious!! i’m sure you rocked it!! 🙂
Congrats, Julie! I’m sure you were fantastic!
Glad you got up the nerve and gave it a shot. I’m sure you did wonderfully! 🙂
Goon on you!! I got nervous and butterflies in my belly just *thinking* about being in your shoes!! Congrats on overcoming a fear! 🙂
Heyyyyy! SO cool! CONGRATS, Julie! I am sure you rocked it 🙂
That is awesome! I’m a UCF school of comm grad too. I’m glad it went great. And how awesome to be able to share what you know about blogging.
In high school I had to give a speech in front of the entire upper school. I was terrified! I’m sure you were fantastic!
I participated in COMM Day at my Alma mater last year, but I was on a panel speaking to several different groups throughout the day. I did stay for the keynote speaker, and I felt for her — I would be a bundle of nerves too! Congrats on doing a wonderful job!
That’s awesome! I would also love to read what you spoke about!
Wow I am so impressed with anyone who can get up in front of a crowd and speak. I took speech class in college and realized I am not one to speak in front of crowds. Some of my old YouTube videos are embarrassing but I keep them up for a good laugh now and again. Hope your weekend is going well love + shine Courtstar
Awesome job! I bet you were great- the first time is always the worst 🙂
I knew you would rock it congrats!
Job interviews are always super nerve wracking for me!
Great job! I know that had to be nervous! The last time I got out of my comfort zone was Friday when my fiance and I went to an outdoors rope course and I walked on a cord really high in the air. I was so afraid of heights! I wrote about it in my latest post here
http://thesavedrunner.wordpress.com/2013/04/06/outdoor-adventure-center/
What an awesome accomplishment! Kudos to you for taking on the challenge!
congrats! that’s a big acheivement and honor to be chosen as the keynote speaker! I’m sure you did great!!
Congrats!! What a great opportunity! 🙂
I’ve learned that if I *fear* doing something, it’s a sign I should probably do it. Our mind tried to hold us back from pain whenever possible and that includes mental pain as well. But if we push past the hard work and discomfort, success lies within our grasp.
Lately I have been speaking up for myself more than I would normally feel comfortable doing and the more I do it, the better I feel.
That’s awesome! Public speaking is one of my biggest fears, that’s for sure. It’s always great when people have your back. 🙂
I give you a lot of credit for doing that! Public speaking is definitely not one of my favorite things to do. Nerve-racking experience for me…going on a job interview. That is always so difficult.
That’s so exciting, congratulations! I’m sure it was nerve-wracking, but I’m sure your audience learned a lot.
Way to go! Face your fears! 🙂
It was so great meeting you, Julie! Thanks to you I’ve been on PicMonkey for the past two hours playing around. Now I just have to figure out the whole sync-to-Pinterest thing and I’m set. (I’m also technologically challenged LOL.) Thanks for such great insight and I’m happy to say you’re my blog-spiration. Keep being awesome!
Julie Booher
Life is looking so exciting for you recently! Ireland, becoming a personal trainer, and now an official public speaker! Congrats girl, you deserve all these wonderful gifts 🙂
Congratulations and what an honor! What a great feeling of inspiration to read about you overcoming nerves and conquering it!
Hey there! I came across your blog today and have been sucked in since we have so much in common! I’m a huge fitness and healthy eating… yet still snacking 24/7… fan. 🙂 I also actually just got back from a vacation to Captiva Island this past Wednesday! It was fun reading about your experiences at the Island Cow and the Mad Hatter as those are two places my fiancé and I went to on our trip with my fam! I’m excited to read more!
You made me nervous just reading it but I am so glad you did it! I bet you did awesome. I would have loved to actually go myself!
This gives me the motivation and courage to get my presentation over with in Anatomy!
Good job!
I remember a survey says that 88% of population would rather choose to jump off the building rather than speaking in front. Congratulations! such a courageous act 🙂
My most nerve-racking experience was when they told me I have to testify about giving and was said on the same day. Really, I almost wanted not to show off in that service but I still try and seek for His guidance.
And the last thing I did to get out of my comfort zone was to decide to move out from my really close friend’s house. Where really close, we’re already sisters; twin sisters. I’ve cried a lot but I know this would make us closer than before because she’s always in my heart and I know that I’m always in hers.
Well done! Inspirational stuff 🙂
I actually attended COMM Day on Friday and, honestly, you did an incredible job. It was really inspirational to hear you speak. You had everyone wanting to start a blog.
To answer both of your questions, one of the most nerve-racking experiences happened to be the last thing that took me out of my comfort zone. And that was asking you my question, which was about how you deal in situations when you just don’t know what to blog about. I normally never get myself to ask a question in these situations, so it was a big deal for me. I had to have gone through the wording in my head about 50 times before asking it.
wow. you are one brave lady. way to go!
our church is set up in a way that everyone gets a chance to speak during the sessions on sundays. we have a bishop (unpaid) with other unpaid counselors who are inspired and lead the meetings. however all the members take turns giving talks on various gospel subjects. so i always get nervous for that. but it always turns out fine!
glad it went well for you! public speaking can be so terrifying sometimes, I usually find a good start calms my nerves 🙂 x
Add that to your resume! Public speaking is an adrenaline rush, good for you for getting out there and going for it 🙂
Oh my gosh! I bet you did a great job! I would have been a wreck….I was nervous just reading about your presentation!
Wow! That’s so amazing to be the key note speaker! I’m a UCF student myself, had I’d know you’d be on campus, I would have come by and heard you speak! A warning for the locals would be much appreciated next time! Congrats Julie!
And questing you like