A New Experience

When I started this blog, I decided that I was going to be as honest about my life as possible, but there were a few topics that were going to be off-limits. Work, for example, was something I’d decided not to talk about in specifics, since we have a fairly small office and any griping I did about coworkers would inevitably get back to them. I’m breaking my own rule today, because something wonderful has happened, and I want to share it with you all.

A few weeks ago I was told that I was going to be part of a 3 day Dale Carnegie class that the bosses were sending all our sales reps to. I looked up the class on the Dale Carnegie website, and interpreted it as an Attitude Adjustment Seminar. I was really pissed that they thought I needed an attitude adjustment. (Of course my first reaction should have been perfect evidence as to WHY I was needing an attitude adjustment, but I didn’t see it that way.) At the same time, they asked me to go to the management training seminar being held a couple weeks before the attitude adjustment class. I was boggled. They want me to get an attitude adjustment, and at the same time become management? Huh? It just made no sense to me.

So I went to the management training with 3 bosses and a sales rep. It was interesting, but  a lot of what was covered pertained to someone who was actually in management, and I am not. It wasn’t the kind of training you take to be management. It’s more the kind of training you take to become better at what you already do. The class was being taught by Dale Carnegie students, who were studying to be trainers. It was a little rough, and they weren’t that great. But if you had to grade them on enthusiasm, they’d all get A’s. Even if they weren’t the best presenters, they made up for it in being excited about the concepts. Overall, the class wasn’t all that grand, but I at least learned a little from it.

Based on that class, I wasn’t at all looking forward to the next seminar. Especially when I heard that we were going to have to stand up in front of the group and speak. I abhor public speaking. I’d rather ram needles under my fingernails than stand in front of people and speak. Plus, I had to be at work at 8am. Three days in a row.  I’m lucky if I’m there by 9, so getting there at 8 was going to be a stretch. I was just OOZING with excitement about this course. No, really.

The course turned out to be one of the greatest things I’ve ever done. I learned different ways of speaking to people, how to listen better, how to remember things easily, and best of all, how to speak in front of people without freaking out. In addition, I learned a ton about the people I’ve been working with for 5+ years. There was lots of getting in front of the group and talking about something you’re passionate about, or acting out a commercial jingle, or telling about a memorable event in your life, but I did it! It sucked, and I hated every second of being up there. But I did it! I was so proud of myself for doing it with no little griping about it. The first time was rough. I felt queasy and shaky and I was sure I was bright red while I was talking. My hands were so shaky that I kept fidgeting with them to try and mask it. I know I talked too fast, but I wanted nothing more than to run back to my seat. By Friday I was much more comfortable. I still spent the whole time wringing my hands, but I didn’t feel flushed or shaky or queasy. I didn’t feel like I did a great job, but everyone else said they saw a huge improvement in my presentations. So either I’m getting better at presenting, or I’m getting better at hiding my fear. Either way works for me.

I’ve tried using the techniques that we learned in the seminar, and so far they’re working. I’m more productive, my personal and business relationships are better, and I’m feeling less stressed. If you ever have the opportunity to take a course of this kind, whether it be through Dale Carnegie, or any other company, I strongly suggest you check it out. It can’t hurt!