Like many of my 50 Things, becoming better at public speaking isn't something that's going to happen overnight. However, I'm hoping that, little by little, I can increase my confidence- and today I definitely did something that will help!
As I've been told to stay off swimming for three weeks, I wasn't able to take part in the gala that happened today. However, I went along anyway, just to help and support, expecting to be asked to make drinks or sell raffle tickets or similar.
Just as I was settling into my designated role- assistant team manager, in the end- I was told that there was no-one to announce, and would I be able to do it. Me? Announce? Using a microphone to introduce each event in front of many, many people? They thought I was responsible enough? Woah...
Well, I had no choice but to do it. Aand, nerve-wracking as it was (and in spite of the many jokes made by people who know me and my immaturity well) I don't think I did badly, and I enjoyed it! I also got told by a number of people that I'd done well and that they were impressed, which was really nice ^.^ Plus, I remained sensible the whole* way through, even when I had to announce a certain raffle ticket with a number just below 70.
So, I'm happy ^.^ Here's hoping for more opportunities like this, so that I can improve my public speaking, and- hopefully- my confidence in general ^.^
*When I say the whole way through, I had one minor less sensible moment: I text BB to tell him that I'd been trusted with a microphone, and he sent me back a random phrase (serendipitous) to slip in at the 'right moment'. So, when I had to announce the raffle, I said that people should get their tickets in case of a 'serendipitous win'.