Public speaking is a thing I neither love or hate. I have had some good experiences, some bad and some awful. However, when speaking in a seminar with my team, I thought it was a rather good experience because everyone had each other's backs and we were able to present a really good seminar.
I find that many of my good experiences have occurred when I have been able to take my time, prepare a really good speech, memorise most of it, and practice it in front of my friends or mum and dad. I recall a time about three years ago when we were presenting speeches for an assessment at high school. I had written a really awesome speech on the Banshee who is an Irish Death Messenger. I had prepared and practiced my speech many times. I even started it with a really loud horror movie scream as an attention grabber. I presented my speech to the class without a fault and felt like I crushed it. I think most of my class had trouble hearing my speech after my loud beginning. I class this moment as a good experience because I didn't feel nervous as I was well prepared and was confident that it would all go well.
I haven't had many bad or really awful experiences as such but I have had a rather awkward encounter with public speaking. This encounter is one that I cannot quote but can rather better explain it with less profanity. It all began with my best friend Maddison's mother asking whether I wanted to speak at the unveiling of Maddison's headstone on her grave. I accepted because I had already thought of writing a song for this. I wrote the song and when I got up at the unveiling to sing it but quickly realised that I would need to introduce myself and the song as not everyone there knew who I was. I only would have to say two sentences maximum, but within these two sentences I managed to forget the name of the song, swear about a total of 8 times, almost hit the neck of my guitar on the headstone and pronounce 'Maddison' wrong. I felt horrible and wanted to run away and never face any of my friends or Maddison's family again but I still had to sing my song.
Public speaking isn't for everyone and a lot of people have different opinions on it. I know I certainly have mixed feelings about it. However, public speaking is a task that many of us will have to endure in our life times and even though it is hard and nerve wracking, there is always a way through it. Even if you completely muck up, there is always someone who has mucked up worse than you have.
I would also like to take the opportunity to thank my team for keeping up with my blog posts through out the semester and providing me with some quality feedback. I have really enjoyed working with you all this semester and I hope that we keep in touch.
"What's my name again?"
3 comments:
Hey Bridget,
I love this post. Hahaha. The stories were great, though at the time I am sure you would've wanted to disappear quickly. You did great for a seminar considering all the things you had been dealing with throughout the week leading up to the recording. We all managed to help one another whilst keeping the evening relaxed and fun.
I am glad that you were finally able to introduce yourself, once Nathan had finished adding in all his own bloopers.
Ryan
Hey Bridget. Great post and fantastic story. What an experience! I think it was a good experience doing the seminar as well. We were mostly in the same boat I think. Except for Nate, who was extremely confident haha and he helped us a lot I think. It's been great working with you on this paper.
Shaun
Kia ora Bridget,
As you explained in your first example, confidence grows with practice. It's great that you have found a way to get over the fear of public speaking by using this technique, as many do not have that confidence. 'Winging it' seems not to work so well for you, in saying this, you did really well when we recorded our seminar.
Keep the practice up, and I'm sure you will do well in public speaking.
I think your name's something like "Johanna".
N.
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