[spaetzleesser]

I highly recommend doing toastmasters. I also had problems with not being able to read people’s expressions while speaking and then becoming very nervous. It took me only a few speeches at toastmasters to learn that a lot of people have a blank stare or even frown while listening but actually liking the speech. I went from being super nervous and reluctant to speak to not being nervous at all in less than a year.

Toastmasters is a super supportive and safe environment. You just have to give yourself a push to sign up for your first speeches and then it’s actually fun and very rewarding.

I would rate toastmasters as one of the top five things I have done to improve my life.

[andredz]

That sounds good. :) Would you like to share some of the other things you've done to improve your life (if it's not too personal)?

[spaetzleesser]

I haven’t thought deeply about this but here are some things:

- starting martial arts and then boxing. As a skinny guy it’s nice to know that you can take on most guys even if you never have to do it. This confidence is very helpful even in business situations. Being in shape also helps with the ladies...

- yoga and meditation

- traveling alone through India and other parts of Asia. Once you have survived that there aren’t many situations that feel scary.

[andredz]

Thank you for sharing them :) I'm glad they have helped you and I'll keep them in mind. Specially, I feel that, some day, I'll remember the one about traveling alone and it will be helpful.