You’re making a speech and suddenly you look down, and you’re naked; every public speaker has had that nightmare.

So if you’re anxious about public speaking, you’re not alone. But, there are several benefits (beyond anxiety-ridden dreams) of becoming an awesome public speaker.

If you’re ready to learn how to be the best public speaker out there, it’s time to understand why it’ll be the best decision you’ve made this year.

Read on for the top three reasons you need to brush up on your public speaking skills.

1. Personal Development

If you want good self-confidence, there’s no better way than to get on stage knowing you look and sound fantastic.

Practicing public speaking will improve your confidence quicker than any form of affirmations or meditation, although these are an excellent tool to help ease anxiety about getting on stage.

Knowing you can step onto a stage and deliver a great speech will filter down into many aspects of your life; before long, you’ll be the confident life and soul of the party, turning heads wherever you go.

2. Career Advancement

There aren’t many high-level jobs where you’ll never be required to do presentations, report on findings, or speak in meetings. So whatever job you’re in now, if you’re looking for a promotion, public speaking skills are essential.

Furthermore, if you’re jostling for a promotion, it’ll do you wonders if your boss sees you deliver a meaningful, confident presentation. Get practicing and wow your colleagues with slick speeches that look effortless.

To ease your anxiety, consider this: how many car-crash presentations have you sat through at work? Most people are not influential public speakers. So, however bad you think you are, everyone in the room has probably seen worse.

If you have a long commute, practice in the car; if you have a family, sit them down and practice with them. If you have a smartphone, film yourself and then critique it.

3. Drive Meaningful Change

If you want to drive meaningful change, it all starts with gathering a dedicated following. And how do you do that? Motivational speeches.

Imagine if Martin Luther King had mumbled, “I kind of have a dream” while biting his nails and looking at the floor. If that were the case, you probably wouldn’t know his name today.

We’re not saying that improving public speaking skills will make you the next Martin Luther King, but it’ll certainly help you drive change. Whether you want to discuss global politics or improve your town’s recycling system, being an authoritative public speaker is a must.