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Trying not to freak out

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I speak at WordCamp US in Philadelphia on December 4: in 19 days. That’s not as many days from now as I thought.

I have written my script. I have submitted my slides. I have practiced aloud at least a dozen times. But I’m still reading my words from a page — I do not yet know the talk by heart. I need notes.

I feel good about my talk when I preview my slides. I feel good about my talk when I practice aloud with my script in front of me.

But the room I’m speaking in. I saw a picture of it. There are a great many seats in there. Like, more than 300. I’m a little nervous. Maybe a lot nervous.

I think I’ll bump my rehearsals to twice a day.

I’m trying not to psych myself out by thinking about how big this event is. By thinking about how many people will be looking at me.

Instead, I’m trying to remind myself I have something valuable to contribute. Instead of freaking out, I am preparing. I stand when I rehearse, like I learned from speaking coach Luca Sartoni. I practice aloud, feeling for places where I stumble so I can tweak the wording. I record my rehearsals on audio so I can listen for redundancies. I take comfort in the the tips I learned in the Get Speaking! workshop I attended.

I know I can do this. I will be ready. I will rock this thing.

But still, that room is scary.

For the month of November, I will be participating in NaBloPoMo and plan to publish every day of the month. Usually, I will publish a 10-minute free write, initiated by a prompt from my prompt box. Minimal editing. No story. Just thoughts spilling onto the page. Follow along with the tag #NovemberDaily.

9 thoughts on “Trying not to freak out”

  4. I have an idea…how about you come over to Fralin after hours and give a practice talk on campus? I work there, so I can secure our auditorium for you. Seats 100. I’m happy to listen. You know I’m a WordPress fan, and have even considered going to this meeting In Philly (which is my hometown), so I’m already interested. I’m happy to help in the weeks ahead, give feedback, etc, if that would be of use for you! Best, Gloria schoeneg@vt.edu

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    1. I’d listen, too! And suck up the free knowledge like it was on sale on Black Friday. (Not that I’ll ever, ever participate in Black Friday; but I’d listen to you any day.)

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  5. As one who knows the grip of fear at public speaking, I sympathize. My advice: keep practicing but don’t over-rehearse. If it’s memorized it will sound wooden. You are talking about what you know, so let your passion shine through!

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  7. Pingback: I speak at WordCamp US in two days 😱 | Butterfly Mind

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