Public Speaking (i.e. KILL ME!)

[Kirk Gillock]

In 11 hours the Helmets for Students donation ceremonies will begin. They will be held all through-out the morning/afternoon and at 3 different schools. The Vice-Governor, Police Patrol Chief, and I will make appearances and speeches at each ceremony. An appearance isn't a problem. I've appeared many times in my life (most recently I appeared in front of my computer). Anyway, like everyone else, it's the speaking that FREAKS ME OUT!!! Not only because I'm a PATHETIC public speaker (imagine a ferret speaking), but because I'll be speaking a language I've had no formal training in (basically baby-talk). Fortunately local and NATIONAL TV coverage will be recording every bumbling word. AHHHHHH!!!! Needless to say I'm VERY nervous! Oh well, it's the cause that matters, not the twitching foreigner who just fainted on stage, right?

Any horror/funny public speaking stories or words of advice? Besides "picture the audience naked", because most of the audience will be young students and I don't think that's appropriate.

PK

[seejay1031]

Besides "picture the audience naked", because most of the audience will be young students and I don't think that's appropriate.

PK

Maybe picture them as a bunch of puppys, no one could be nervous talking to a roomful of puppys, and if they start to jeer, you could pretend that they are barking in agreement

[XCheck]

HUH? You teach, right? Just think about everybody as students, and you'll be fine... Good luck!

[krestofre]

If there's TV coverage then there will probably be on camera lights and such. If you're lucky the light will be so bright that you can't see the audience anyway!

"The number one fear is speaking in public. Number two is death. That means at a funeral the majority of people would rather be in the casket than giving the eulogy." -- Jerry Seinfeld.

Hope that helps.

Chris

[XCheck]

"The number one fear is speaking in public. Number two is death. That means at a funeral the majority of people would rather be in the casket than giving the eulogy." -- Jerry Seinfeld.

My favorite!

[jhvid]

Here's a little tip that I got in my undergraduate years: Most likely, the majority of the people in the audience aren't even paying attention to you. This is especially true if it's a bunch of kids. Hope that helps.

[Terry_Lasater]

Here's a little tip that I got in my undergraduate years: Most likely, the majority of the people in the audience aren't even paying attention to you.

Yeah, they're too busy undressing you with their minds and laughing at your broken Thai. lol

Actually, PK, I know you'll do just fine. Remember, the main purpose is the cause and not your 5 minutes before the audience. ;)

In the words of a transplanted Texan in Thailand: "You can do it!"

[nullphonic]

When ever I've had to speak publicly about my own work or something it's been pretty easy but the one time that sticks in my mind was when I spoke at a rape crisis center fund raiser. That one made me really nervous because of the obvious serious matter and I didn't want to say anything wrong or misstep.

But the moment it started it was as if the cause I was speaking of took over, it's something I really had an opinion regarding, I felt strongly about and the importance of the issue just kicked in.

This is something that is obviously very important to you and it's a very important issue. You're not trying to impress anyone, you're not trying to sell anything, you're just adding your voice to a very good cause. Just go with it, you'll be amazed at how easy it is once you start since it has nothing to do with ego or your impression, you're just a voice among many voices with the same mindset.

Your intent will shine through any presentation difficulties and that's the important thing to everyone.

[Barry_S]

I just finished a translation of a transcript of PK's speech from Thai to English. Here it is---

Good Martyrs Day, Attendee

I here tomorrow to make pavement brains leaking of head, not. Encasements! Good value with education not head may be crack sometimes. Look at this head--plastic encasement! We are all go to PK for big helmet value. With my world is monkey chasing student? Good value of head encasement. Excuse of me stained Thai language, but I hard about bigger encasements. Broken path is not lead to no encasements, is not it? Attention of paying me. You are thinking me, PK, but why not? Greater encasements, not why! I am being tiny small worm for your attention.

For conclusion, evening lights in your eyes. Strap fastenings for encasements! Thanking me.

[J.R. Hudson]

Be a man. Bring your little 'cards' up with you; use them as a detour. Sack up baby!