A poll of 3,000 Americans found that for 41 percent, the thing they’re most afraid of is speaking before a group of people. Of all the topics in the world of knowledge, I decided to do my very first seminar on Overcoming Your Fears. Though it was many years ago, it still seems like yesterday.

My fiancée at the time, who is now my wife, told me not to try and memorize my speech word-for-word because I might get on stage and forget what I was supposed to say. Well, like most men, I didn’t listen.

I quickly replied, “I can do it, I’ll do just fine.”

She simply said, “OK.”

On the evening of the seminar, after my award-winning introduction, I dashed onto the stage. I was ready to dazzle the audience with my power-packed presentation. Suddenly, my mind went on vacation without my approval and all I could see were bright lights shining in my face. Beyond the blinding lights, there was only a sea of darkness behind the first couple of rows in the huge auditorium. I couldn’t remember my name, let alone my speech, which I thought I had carefully folded and tucked away in my mind.

I moaned to myself, “Surely this can’t be happening to me. I know this speech like the back of my hand!”

Everything was a blur. Sweat was rolling down my forehead like raindrops on a windshield. My heart was literally beating like the hooves of horses on hot dry pavement. (Thumpety, thumpety, thump.) Embarrassment was flowing out of my soul like a mighty stream. I started to look around hoping I’d find Jacqueline so I could get a glimpse of someone familiar or maybe uncover a shred of hope by seeing her beautiful face, but the lights were too bright on the stage.

I tried to present my speech just as I had done countless times before, at home, in the car, in the checkout line, the mirror, etc. It would not come forth! My mouth was dry and I desperately wanted to crawl off the platform and run for cover. The wrath of dead silence in the auditorium was tormenting me and I could literally feel a multitude of glistening eyes glaring at me through the darkness.

I was considering the idea of obeying the thundering voice in my head that bellowed, “Get off the stage, just walk off…you’re making a complete fool of yourself…who do you think you are anyway?” Luckily, in the same moment that I was about to give up, ever so slowly, the information began to sneak back into my mind.

Evidently, I must have done a great job of keeping the audience entertained.

After the speech, people came up and thanked me for what they said was an outstanding presentation. Surprisingly, a year later, a young lady called me to get what she described as some ‘very useful’ information, which I had shared that unforgettable night. I’m glad I decided to open my mouth because it has brought me many rewards since then.

So…to those of you who are afraid to speak in public, the more you do it, the easier it will become. The best advice I can give anyone is to just do it!

- Spark Plug