Thursday, June 18, 2009

Clearly I Shouldn't Run for Public Office

I had to speak in public at Alumni events twice in less than a week.
And I? Did not do well.

One speech was mediocre.
The other was less so. (And by "less so" I don't mean it was "better.")

And that whole mantra about picturing your audience in their underwear/naked/dead?
1. By the time I am frozen in panic with everyone staring at me, THAT idea is completely gone from my terrified little head.
2. Does that really work anyhow?

I just don't get how people can do the whole speaking in front of people thing. And I don't necessarily even mean at something like a big event. I mean jobs like being a teacher, or any kind of instructor-type person. Impossible.

One of the guys who also had to do a speech at this event had no clue what to say, and since I have a baby crush on him, I offered to write something for him. He took what I wrote - condensed it down to key words and delivered a kick-ass, completely natural-sounding and hilarious speech.

He's a lawyer.

And I'm too angry and resentful and jealous of his accomplishment to have a crush on him anymore.


I can guarantee though, that when it comes to performance review time - I bet it will be one of the things that my boss tells me to work on. Urgh. Does anyone else do Toastmasters other than old men?

Any suggestions?

9 comments:

Rachel said...

here's the thing I love public speaking. I took so many classes that it's no big deal to me
I talk to ONE person - I focus on one person in the audience and to keep eye contact I go back to that person. It helps me (and I shake like a leaf when I am giving speeches - seriously - my knees knock)

cmacc said...

I too, hate it. I only feel comfortable with the idea of it when I 100% know my topic. And even then I ALWAYS think there is someone in the room who will know more and make me look stupid. I used to teach courses and worried SO MUCH about what I was teaching them but then I realized THEY paid to come and listen to ME. So I was probably the most knowledgeable on the topic. Just realize that they chose YOU to speak so clearly you are qualified to do so. Its the only way I feel confident, maybe it'll help you too to remember that. ??

Just a girl said...

Let me just say that I would not pick any job that I had to speak in public.

I will help you in anyway I can though. I could be in your pretend audiance and pick my nose.

MonsteRawr said...

I got nothin', darlin'. I'm fine with public speaking as long as I don't have to read something specific, meaning I can make the whole thing up on the fly. I find I'm more relaxed and natural when I can just let the words come.

WendyB said...

I hate public speaking and I'm just terrible at it. I empathize!

Anonymous said...

I think it takes a special kind of person who can face the public and give a speech. I on the other hand like most normal people run in the opposite direction.


thank gawd I havent had to do that since high school.
Nick

Rock Chef said...

Sometimes I am really good, sometimes I totally suck. For me it all seems to hinge on getting out the first sentence on one piece...

Random Musings said...

Where hav eyou been??

You went private and I was not invited so I deleted you... did you not get my email?

Weird.

Glad to see you are not private anymore

Nat said...

I am getting better at it. So here's the deal with me, if you get me in a meeting setting on at a conference, I'll happily get up and ask a question or partake in discussion. Get me in front of a group and I freeze. I am getting better at it though... fundamentally I keep telling myself that no one in the room wants me to fail. If they are all with me, it's much much better.

 
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