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Steamboat Springs — It's said that more than half of Americans would rather die than speak in front of others.

I'm sure that if someone actually held a gun to their heads, they would prefer to speak. But still, Americans have an irrational fear of public speaking.

There are many different directions you can go with speech. For example, if you are good with debating and current issues, you may want to look into politics. If you are very dramatic, you could choose a career in theater. If you like to make people laugh, then maybe comedy is right for you.

Speaking helps you gain self-confidence, and it also is a way of expressing yourself. Practicing public speaking will help you get over the fear of talking to large groups. Over time, you will achieve the skills necessary to succeed.

Public speaking is useful for every job. It is essential in life to verbally communicate and share ideas with family, friends, co-workers and other important people. Public speaking should be a tool to use at your disposal, not a restriction.

When I first began high school, I was recruited to join the speech team. After bickering with my friends, I was unwillingly dragged to the first meeting. Afterward, I decided that public speaking would not be a waste of my time, but a useful skill throughout my life. Looking back, I'm glad I made that decision. My experience with speech has taught me that it's OK to be yourself and express your creativity while speaking. I had a blast this year with speech team, and I'm sure I will return next year.

If you are one of those people who suffers from the phobia of public speaking, I have a few tips for you to keep in mind:

1. Know your material. The better you know what you are talking about, the easier it will be for your audience to understand.

2. Know your audience. The audience isn't sitting there hoping you'll fail miserably; they want you to succeed.

3. Know your surroundings. The more comfortable you are in the speaking environment, the better.

Don't freak out next time you take the floor. Public speaking is not your enemy. If you learn to speak well, it will help you every day of your life. Oh, and I'm sorry to say it, but imagining people in their underwear won't get you anywhere.