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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Good for you! Honestly, Julie, I would be THRILLED if I heard you were going to be a keynote speaker for a thing like that. Your blog is a great success, so you must be doing something right!
I’d love to hear a recap of what you spoke about.
Ahh, I wish I knew about this! I totally would’ve gone to hear you speak! I go to UCF 🙂
hoooooray for ucf!! 🙂 i cannot believe how much the campus has changed since i went there. and that the whole shopping plaza (the one that once had Jeremiah’s and Lazy Moon) is no longer there. insane!!
Isn’t it CRAZY?! I can’t believe it’s all gone. BUT, I was pretty stoked that Jeremiah’s moved to Waterford Lakes! Which means that it’s literally like 5 minutes from me…good or bad thing?!! haha! Can’t get enough of it.
Jeremiahs is always a good thing! I know it’s crazy. I think they’re putting more apartments in there instead. Lazy moon moved onto University so its still around!
Congratulations! That’s so cool — I’m sure you were great!
Yay Julie! What an honor! One of my most nervewracking experiences was speaking for about 30 minutes on stage at a national sales meeting where I used to work-it was about 100 salesmen in the audience and 2 females- i was one of two females in the room! I remember feeling so relieved afterwards! The last thing that took me out of my comfort zone was quitting my job and moving to Australia… So far out of my comfort zone!
Great job! Public speaking gets so much easier when you are comfortable. It says a lot about you and your skills that the professor actively pursued you! Be proud 🙂
Wow, Julie, that is amazing!!! Congratulations on that honor! Glad to hear it went well!
I’m sure you did great! That’s a huge honor to be asked back to where you were a student. Before I speak publicly, I always have to pee multiple times. So weird!
I did, too!!
Wow, good job! I had to present for my job infront of over 1000 people (my job doesn’t require this ever!) and I nearly pooped my pants. You look confident in your picture, sure you did well. 🙂
Wow way to go! Public speaking makes me so nervous. I think my hands would have been shaking the whole time!
Julie, that’s such an awesome experience! I would have LOVED to go see a keynote speaker like you when I was getting my English degree. Clearly it means that this blog is doing quiet a few things right 🙂 Usually public speaking isn’t a problem for me, but giving the graduating speech at my high school is definitely a memorable moment – not necessarily a frightening one, but definitely a stressful, “weighty” speech!
That’s great!! I get so nervous when speaking in public and I end up stuttering! How do you remain calm and collected?
My fiance’s bachelor party was last night! Mine isn’t until it gets warmer out! Way to overcome your fears and be the keynote speaker! That’s awesome!
Congratulations! Doing something a bit nerve-wracking is actually really good for you! Pushing your limits sometimes shows just how capable you really are. Good job!
Go girl! Honestly, I would’ve thrown up all over the front row. Public speaking terrifies me and my voice shakes, ahh! Way to go, I’m sure you did amazing!! 🙂
Oh when I was getting my degree in occupational therapy our classes required a lot of public speaking. When I get nervous I break out into hives so of course my first presentation in front of my classmates ended up with me breaking out in hives, bright red splotches all over my neck. When I sat down a guy leaned over and told me it was the wildest thing he had ever seen to watch me go from pasty white (I have really fair skin) to bright red. He even went into detail of how it started then “creeped up you neck”. I was mortified and wore a turtleneck from then on when I had to present.
Wow. Nice job! I honestly don’t so a whole lot that gets me out of my comfort zone. Probably telling people my goals is one. That way if I don’t reach it people know when I fail and that is a big deal to me.
Congrats! Sounds like you did an awesome job!!
Awesome job! I have no doubt you rocked it. I understand your nerves though. Public speaking isn’t something that comes natural to me, and it always makes me super nervous!
Awesome job!! I know that I would have been SUPER nervous, so having the bravery to pursue a scary but wonderful opportunity is something that you should be proud of :).
I work in a public library and I’ve had to speak for the county on some issues and programs we’ve done. I was recently asked to speak for the state level this May on information organization and I am so nervous. I said yes, but as it gets closer, I’m getting ancy!
It was such a pleasure to meet you yesterday! I really enjoyed your presentation and the tips you have. Can’t wait to start reading your posts 🙂
I hate public speaking. I had a prof in university who made it even worse for me.
What an honor! Congrats, girl! I am sure you rocked it! 🙂
That is AWESOME!! Way to tackle something that seemed scary at first – I agree that it would be great to hear a recap of your presentation. Love this blog 🙂
Hooray, Julie!!! I can totally relate to public speaking anxiety:) In college I waited until my last semester to take the required public speaking class for my major, and somehow managed to find an online public speaking class at a local community college where my speeches were videotaped (in front of three audience members of my choosing, mind you) and sent to the professor to grade. Talk about taking the easy way out! 😉
Congrats! I’m sure you did wonderful!
I go to UCF and wish I hadn’t been in class all day so I could have came to hear you speak! I would have loved to meet you in person! Keep us updated if you come to speak again 🙂
Congrats on conquering your fear 🙂 I’m the same way about public speaking. When I had to do my capstone project during my last semester of grad school I had to do a presentation that was 45 minutes long. I was dreading it the entire semester and finally presented on the last day of class and totally nailed it. Sometimes I swear we are out own worst enemy.
Good for you Julie!
YAY UCF 😀
I know, without a doubt, that you did awesome!! You are such an inspiration to future writers- just seeing how your career has progressed is really neat. I only see even bigger things in your future! …and a baby too 😉 Ok ok, I’ll stop with the baby stuff 😀
Way to go Julie! 🙂 Public speaking always stresses me out. Props to you for going ahead with it!
congrats, julie! that is a HUGE honor! i’m sure your keynote address was fantastic!
Go UCF!!!!
My job is speaking on camera daily but talking in front of a crowd adds way more nerves for me! I have given a couple commencement speeches! OH- sweaty palms!
I’m glad your experience went so well! Congrats!
Congrats on the event! The most nerve-wracking thing I’ve ever had to do hasn’t happened yet… but it will a week from today! I’m about to perform in my senior voice recital. I’m a Vocal Performance major at the University of Michigan and in order to complete my degree I have to present 30 minutes of solo vocal music to my friends, family, and peers (I am doing a joint recital with my best friend, though, so it won’t be as bad). I am SO anxious for it and have been for the past month as it gets closer and closer, but I know that all I can do is my best and either way the people in the audience will still love me at the of the day. And I’ve worked for four years to be able to do this, so I have to be ready, right?
Great job, Julie! Sounds like you did awesome! I would have been terrified, but I bet you’re so glad that you faced your fears and did awesome!
Honestly, I try to stick in my comfort zone, but kudos to you for getting out of yours! Go KD, by they way…saw the picture behind you. AOT!
Oh my gosh! I was in the UCF area yesterday and I would have LOVED to come see you and hear you speak! SO bummed I missed it! I love public speaking and have no fears in doing it, but I think that’s just because I love being the center of attention 😉 I’m so happy it went well for you! I started going out by myself/meeting guys/new people shortly after my ex and I broke up and that was very uncomfortable for me because we dated for 3 years and he was all I knew. Now, that is my comfort zone! All these people recognize me that I haven’t met and they said it’s because they see me out and about being a social butterfly!
Congrats! You are much braver than I! I’m sure you killed it. 🙂
My most nerve-wracking moment was probably flying off on my own to travel for three months! But I always say the best things in life are often the ones that make you feel scared!
Wow, that must have been so nerve-wracking! But I bet it felt to good to know that someone you have so much respect for saw something big in you that you didn’t see in yourself. Be proud of that!
Public speaking makes me sweat! Well done, amazing accomplishment!
Julie, congratulations!! It sounds like it went well! As my mom would say, you deserve a treat right about now 🙂
So funny how you can commit to exercising, marry someone you love, but a presentation is still nerves-inducing. I’m the same way, strength training and me and bffs, I commute 1.5 hours to work in the federal government, but shushing noisy people i know still makes my heart pound. Hahah!
Wow well done that is great! I don’t know I would have the guts to do that but I’m in awe of you for being able to.
I had to present stuff to a client last week instead of someone more senior as they were away and k found that very nerve racking.
Oh my gosh I don’t think I would have ever gave in! Glad you did and everything worked out
Since I am that professor who wouldn’t let you say “no,” let me testify to your top-notch performance at COMM Day at UCF. And if you were nervous, it didn’t show one bit. You shared your story with honesty and interest, and everyone loved it. You made your home school proud. Thank you for sharing it with your readers. I see more keynotes in your future, Julie.
Way to go Julie! That is HUGE! I’m so proud of you!!
That’s so awesome! Just think..the more you speak, the easier it will get. Last scary/intimidating moment for me was probably my last job interview. Always makes me super nervous.
Julie, congratulations on your keynote speaking engagement! What an honor! And you looked so professional up there! If you have any video of your talk, could you post it on PBF? I think it would be great to watch and learn some tips from a pro!
Public speaking is definitely one of those things that gets those butterflies in my tummy all riled up! Back in February I had to co-host a heart healthy cooking event with my boss for our hospital. I had to use a microphone which was nerve-wracking and then had an impromtu, video-taped interview at the end!
Good luck with the Taste of Ocala event!
YAY! That’s great that you put yourself out there. It’ll only be easier next time 🙂 Going to Prom with a boy I’d never met from a itsy bitsy town I’de never been to is the most nerve wracking thing I’ve ever done. I love dancing and dresses so I instantly said yes when his sister told me he couldn’t find a date….but when I found myself in a gym surrounded by awkward highschool kids I’de never met I really started to wonder what the heck I was thinking……everything’s a piece of cake after that brutal experience!
That’s awesome you decided to do it! I stepped out of my comfort zone when I packed up and came to California last year…and still haven’t gotten back in my comfort zone. Maybe soon!