Finding His Voice

Amir had always avoided speaking in front of people, even in small meetings. Whenever his manager asked for opinions, his heart raced and his mind went empty. One day, the company announced a competition for the best new project idea. Amir had a brilliant idea, but presenting it meant speaking to fifty people. His friend Dina, who used to be shy herself, offered to help him practice. "If you practice every day, your fear will slowly become smaller," she promised him. For two weeks, Amir rehearsed his presentation in front of a mirror every evening. He recorded his voice and listened carefully to improve his weak points. Although he still felt nervous, he noticed that he was becoming more confident. On the day of the competition, his hands were cold and his mouth was dry. However, when he began to speak, the words came out more easily than he expected. He even smiled when someone asked a difficult question, because he knew the answer well. Amir didn't win first place, but he received an award for the most creative idea. More importantly, he had defeated a fear that had controlled him for years. Since that day, he has volunteered to speak at every meeting, and each time feels easier.