I knew this book would be a great one based upon the title alone, Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway. Although this book 
was published in 1987, Susan Jeffers delivers a timeless message. Fear can control you, or you can choose to control your fear. Your fear can only control you if you let it. The way to make a fear disappear is not to avoid it, but rather to face and overcome it. During the process, you’ll gain confidence and become a more powerful person. If you choose to ignore it, the fear will continually resurface as an obstacle in your life until you confront it.
Nowhere has this been more evident in my own life than in my decision to join Toastmasters and give speeches. I had to take public speaking twice in college. First, I took a class at the community college. It was so embarrassing, but at least I was finished with that requirement. Then, I was absolutely mortified to discover my university would not accept the course I had already taken for transfer credit. That was just not right.
Further along in my college career, a professor asked me if I 
had ever heard of Toastmasters. When I found out what it was I thought, “Oh, that’s definitely not for me. No, thank you. I’ve already suffered through that experience twice. Who would want to go do that during their free time just for fun?”
Then a few years later another new friend asked me if I had ever heard of Toastmasters. “Yes, I have and I’m definitely not interested!” I wondered, “Why do people keep talking to 
me about Toastmasters?” Then I remembered my friend Natalie from high school who had offered to pay for me to take assertiveness training classes. I know she was just teasing me, but she had identified a need long ago that other people were continuing to see in me. Strange…
Five years ago another friend read something I had written and was really astounded by the quality. Although she was 
complimenting my writing, I read between the lines and also surmised that based upon my speech, she never would have guessed I could write so well. Granted, my speaking style is significantly more informal, but still it was something to consider.
Last year while I was creating 4 goals for a 90 day game I was about to begin playing, I realized what I had to do. I 
was suggesting lame, easy goals, and my coach was calling me out on it. Although she didn’t know exactly what my goals should be, she did seem to have an innate challenge meter that measured whether a goal was worthy or not. My goal to join Toastmasters was accepted immediately without hesitation or questioning.
Now I was not terribly excited about this goal as it truly scared me and yet something within told me it was time to face this fear. My first 3 speeches were pretty nerve wracking, but somehow during the 4th one it became a little bit easier. By the 5th speech I was even having fun. As I gained more experience and confidence, I focused on the message I had to share with my audience rather than being preoccupied with myself.
Now 10 speeches later, I have earned a Competent Communicator Award and a Competent Leader Award. I have mentored new members and been elected the Vice President of Membership. At conferences, I volunteer to be the leader and share my group’s responses. I no longer sit back in silence afraid to speak. I have replaced my fear with power. I am no longer weak.