3 tips for conquering your fear of public speaking

Warren Buffett was “terrified” of public speaking.

He was so nervous that he would choose and arrange his college classes to avoid having to get up in front of people. He even enrolled in a public speaking course, and dropped out even before it started. He was too nervous to take a course to help him overcome his nerves!

At age 21, Buffett started his career in the securities business in Omaha and decided that to reach his full potential, he had to overcome his crippling fear. So, Buffett tried again; this time he was determined to see it through. He enrolled in a Dale Carnegie course with another 30 people who, like him, were “terrified of getting up and saying our names.” The class worked, and Buffett conquered his fear.

Now, when asked, “What habits did you cultivate in your 20s and 30s that you see as the foundation of success?” the billionaire answered: “You’ve got to be able to communicate in life. It’s enormously important. If you can’t communicate and talk to other people and get across your ideas, you’re giving up your potential.”