Face your Fears

I have often heard people say that they love PR because they love people. This has always made me pause. Yes you should enjoy interacting, but "puh-leeze!" Public Relations is so much more than that. One of my Professors said it best...."if you are in this class because you like people then you are in the wrong room." [Thanks Dr. Lariscy]

I myself have always been an introvert. I was the bookworm who would rather read than go out with friends. I love a good puzzle and I love to write, but the stage never called to me. Even now I would rather cozy up to a good Harry Potter than spend a night "out on the town". Maybe because of this I have become a little shy.

Being a good public relations practitioner means being in contact with many people all the time. You are responsible for the image and reputation of your organization, for better or worse. If you are timid, you will never make it in this industry. Knowing this, I have taken steps to overcoming my fear of speaking in public, and my tendency to avoid troubling issues, confrontation and rude people.

I am proud to say that since I made the decision to go into Public Relations, I have developed a confidence that I never thought would be possible. I can say this because this past week, I did something I never thought possible.I faced my biggest fear.

We all have people we disagree with, people we are intimidated by, people we would rather avoid than clear the air. In public relations, this person could be a reporter we disagree with, a co-worker we clash with or an angry public we would rather not deal with. For me, it was a former team mate. I was intimidated by this person for ridiculous reasons that I will not elaborate on. It should suffice to say that If I never spoke with him/her again, I don't think I would have minded.

But as a great proverb tells us, we can learn nothing from giving into our fears, only from facing them do we become strong and wise.

So in preparation for a wonderful career, I chose the recent PRSA awards banquet to finally face my fear. I spoke with this person. I approached, I spoke, and I walked away, feeling glorious. I think this is what it means to feel on top of the world. I faced my fear and I feel stronger for it. I faced down a bully with a confident smile and a firm handshake. As a Disney musical tells us....

"You go through life and never know the day that fate may bring,
a situation that may prove to be embarrassing.
You hide your head, your face gets red,you wish that you may die,
but that's old fashioned, here's a new thing you should really try..say
how do you do and shake hands...state your name and business."

That's a great song, and a great advice. So goodbye fear and hello success. It only appears when the student is ready, and finally, finally....I am.