-Drew
Life was never the same for me in the corporate world after that episode. Perhaps it was just my overactive imagination, but after the embarrassing classroom performance, people seemed to be a little more standoffish. Not that anyone was particularly rude; it was just that I felt very much an outsider. I suspect that the details of my public speaking performance circulated around the company like wildfire, though I didnt hear anything specific. (more…)
Things were going downhill fast. I was screwing up, and everyone noticed. My face was now bright red. Not the usual mild [tag]blushing[/tag] that everyone experiences from time to time - oh no, this was a bright, crimson-red, bordering on reddish/purple - probably very freakish looking and undeniably noticeable. (more…)
Id like to say that this experience turned out ok and that I got through the course without a hitch, but that wasnt the case. I suppose you could say that I psyched myself out before the class got underway by believing that no other outcome was possible other than complete and utter failure and embarrassment. (more…)
As the instructor proceeded to welcome all of us to the latest company workshop, I was filled with a sense of dread. I figured that the introductions would start in less than 5 minutes. Though I was on the verge of a total meltdown, I couldnt help but notice the irony in the fact that the company expected us to be grateful that they were spending all this time and money on our professional development. (more…)
The once quiet classroom was now filled with loud conversation and laughter - quite a contrast to the serene setting only moments ago. Amazed at how loud a few dozen people could be, I was vaguely aware of the fact that I was the only one not taking part in all the idle chit-chat. Surely, I must have stood out like a sore thumb. (more…)
The training session was one of those events that brought out the worst in me. Yes, I knew about relaxation techniques and positive self-talk, but in reality the experience was so intense that it chewed up those techniques and spit them out. Fact is, I had a hundred different ways to put myself down and these thoughts were so automatic that I never questioned whether they were right or wrong. (more…)
