Seth has just applied for a Grade 6 leadership role in IT this week. This meant that he had to write a speech about why he should be chosen to lead, and then deliver it to all the kids in the Grade 4/5/6 unit, the principal and vice principal and the teachers. When you are not used to public speaking, the very idea of delivering a speech can be pretty overwhelming, and it has been something that has been playing on his mind for days now.
Today he delivered his speech, which he said he felt good about afterwards. He did mention his pre-delivery jitters that he suffered from though, which mainly consisted of shaking, sweaty hands, a slight nausea and a very mild case of panic as he approached the podium. But in his words - I was nervous at first, but once I got going, I loved it, it just all flowed out of me. This is generally the case with public speaking I think, once you get over your initial fear of getting up there, it is usually fine from that point on. Anyway I was very proud of him for putting himself out there, it's not an easy thing to do, but he did it, he is really growing up.
I tried to help him out with some pointers before the big day. I was actually a pretty fine public speaker in my time, never won a sports trophy in my life, but I did win a public speaking one when I was in year eleven. How fricken dorky is that? Everyone else was busy trying to get loaded or laid and I was hanging around a bunch of oldies learning to public speak!
I did a Rotary Club public speaking course, which was free and ran from our school in the evenings, the whole thing culminated in an all out challenge against the other participants, and I won! I remember that being a huge booster to my self esteem at that time in my life and was the main reason that I went for the role of School Captain in Year 12 - which I also got - ooooh....so important! I do recall thinking that I was the shit for a while there, which rapidly wore off when I realised how much extra work the role required of me. Probably would've gotten a better ATAR score if I wasn't so busy doing all that other leadership crapola, but I have to say, that public speaking course has served me well on a number of occasions.
Speaking confidently in front of people is truly a skill. Any idiot can hold a microphone and warble on for hours, but it takes true talent to engage an audience and make them want to hear what you have to say. Some of the best examples of excellent public speaking skills are demonstrated on TED talks, I am always impressed by those people's ability to both entertain and inform, and even if you're not interested in the topic they're talking about, those talks are fabulous for gaining tips about effective public speaking techniques - body language people - it matters.
So next time you have to take to the podium for a speech, just remember Barb's top five tips for success:
1. Talk slowly and clearly and avoid deep-throating the microphone - keep that shit away from your face!
2. Wear something that isn't going to distract your audience, in other words cover your tits, pits and private bits.
3. Breathe and pause - a lot. Let people take in what you're saying.
4. Work the room with your eyes, look at as many different people as you can, make a connection.
5. Most importantly - rehearse that shit! Don't ever wing an important speech or talk - preparation is key - know your shit and they'll be eating out of the palm of your hand in no time.
Today he delivered his speech, which he said he felt good about afterwards. He did mention his pre-delivery jitters that he suffered from though, which mainly consisted of shaking, sweaty hands, a slight nausea and a very mild case of panic as he approached the podium. But in his words - I was nervous at first, but once I got going, I loved it, it just all flowed out of me. This is generally the case with public speaking I think, once you get over your initial fear of getting up there, it is usually fine from that point on. Anyway I was very proud of him for putting himself out there, it's not an easy thing to do, but he did it, he is really growing up.
I tried to help him out with some pointers before the big day. I was actually a pretty fine public speaker in my time, never won a sports trophy in my life, but I did win a public speaking one when I was in year eleven. How fricken dorky is that? Everyone else was busy trying to get loaded or laid and I was hanging around a bunch of oldies learning to public speak!
I did a Rotary Club public speaking course, which was free and ran from our school in the evenings, the whole thing culminated in an all out challenge against the other participants, and I won! I remember that being a huge booster to my self esteem at that time in my life and was the main reason that I went for the role of School Captain in Year 12 - which I also got - ooooh....so important! I do recall thinking that I was the shit for a while there, which rapidly wore off when I realised how much extra work the role required of me. Probably would've gotten a better ATAR score if I wasn't so busy doing all that other leadership crapola, but I have to say, that public speaking course has served me well on a number of occasions.
Speaking confidently in front of people is truly a skill. Any idiot can hold a microphone and warble on for hours, but it takes true talent to engage an audience and make them want to hear what you have to say. Some of the best examples of excellent public speaking skills are demonstrated on TED talks, I am always impressed by those people's ability to both entertain and inform, and even if you're not interested in the topic they're talking about, those talks are fabulous for gaining tips about effective public speaking techniques - body language people - it matters.
So next time you have to take to the podium for a speech, just remember Barb's top five tips for success:
1. Talk slowly and clearly and avoid deep-throating the microphone - keep that shit away from your face!
2. Wear something that isn't going to distract your audience, in other words cover your tits, pits and private bits.
3. Breathe and pause - a lot. Let people take in what you're saying.
4. Work the room with your eyes, look at as many different people as you can, make a connection.
5. Most importantly - rehearse that shit! Don't ever wing an important speech or talk - preparation is key - know your shit and they'll be eating out of the palm of your hand in no time.
THE ARTIST
Release Date: 2011
Rating: PG
Running Time: 100 mins
A silent black and white film may seem like a step backwards for some viewers, but this movie is an extraordinary cinematic experience, not just another movie at all. Although this is an age old tale of the apprentice overtaking the craftsman; it has been juiced up with twists of romance and dark demise to keep viewers engaged.
Set in 1927 we see George Valentin - King of the Silent Screen, entertaining audiences and falling for starlet wannabe Peppy. But as silent film falls to the rise of talking movies, George struggles to find work and a reason to go on with life when Peppy soon rises to fame upon the ashes of his own ruined career.
Jean Dujardin is outstanding as George, portraying his downward spiral perfectly and really adding great depth to George with his extremely emotive face. The Artist is riveting and darkly beautiful to watch; a definite winner in my books.
FINAL SAY: Silence is golden
4 Chili Peppers
Release Date: 2011
Rating: PG
Running Time: 100 mins
A silent black and white film may seem like a step backwards for some viewers, but this movie is an extraordinary cinematic experience, not just another movie at all. Although this is an age old tale of the apprentice overtaking the craftsman; it has been juiced up with twists of romance and dark demise to keep viewers engaged.
Set in 1927 we see George Valentin - King of the Silent Screen, entertaining audiences and falling for starlet wannabe Peppy. But as silent film falls to the rise of talking movies, George struggles to find work and a reason to go on with life when Peppy soon rises to fame upon the ashes of his own ruined career.
Jean Dujardin is outstanding as George, portraying his downward spiral perfectly and really adding great depth to George with his extremely emotive face. The Artist is riveting and darkly beautiful to watch; a definite winner in my books.
FINAL SAY: Silence is golden
4 Chili Peppers
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