Monday, December 10, 2012

"Stage Fright..."



Or...

What The Fuck have I gotten 
myself into!?!?!?!?!?!?!





This Saturday, Alluvial Flood Plain State University will have its Fall Commencement... Among the low lights of said event will be that yours truly will get to address the graduating body of students and their families...

'Stage Fright'
The Band

I fairly well have my talk planned out, and ready to go...  I have the gist of what I want to say... it's just that I am fine tuning it now... I have rehearsed it several times, and this afternoon, I went to the coliseum and just stood on the stage for about 10 minutes... I became acclimated to looking down upon where the students will be seated... out to where my colleagues will be,  and up and around where the family members of the graduates will be.

I have always encouraged my students to step out of their comfort zone and do things that make them nervous... things that scare them a little bit.  I will be leading by example this weekend...


Is it really possible that the fear of speaking in public ranks higher than fear of failure? Or, fear of Rejection?? Or fear of Intimacy???  I noticed that, according to this image, fear of Death isn't even in the Top Ten.

I guess as long as I don't pee myself, I will be ok...


As soon as I go and joke about this, it will happen!!!

Well,

I guess as long as I look cool doing it!

Another great tip I learned!!!


It makes sense to me!!!

~shoes~




Posted by at

18 comments:

  1. Steven CainDecember 11, 2012 at 5:03 AM

    The first words out of your mouth should be, "I just peed my pants"... You will make history... guaranteed.


    good luck.

    ReplyDelete
  2. downsizersDecember 11, 2012 at 5:16 AM

    Sometimes speakers break the ice by saying that they ARE nervous and why they are nervous. You understand the meaning of this occasion and have been honored to have been asked to speak. That should calm you down because everyone in the audience will know as well as you know that this occasion would make ANYONE nervous. Go get 'em.

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  3. Ryan BeaumontDecember 11, 2012 at 9:40 AM

    Good luck. I remember a comercial several years ago. It was a young college graduate standing next to his grandparents and they were all wearing sweat suits. He says "I just graduated and after much thought I've decided to retire!" I'm just glad I don't have to graduate just now; it's a tough world fro them but I'm sure you will get them excited! :)

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  4. KimberlyDecember 11, 2012 at 11:37 AM

    Picture everyone in their undies...totally takes the edge off.

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  5. musicwithinyouDecember 11, 2012 at 1:56 PM

    Ya on what Steven said!

    Good Luck this weekend Shoes.

    I'm sure you will have a standing ovasion for your speech!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Red ShoesDecember 11, 2012 at 2:13 PM

    @ Steven... LMBO!!! I can only imagine that would NOT go over so well!!!

    @ Downsizers... thank you! That is what I have in mind to do...

    @ Ryan... it IS a tough world out there!!! All in all, it's much the same way as when i first graduated with my BBA...

    @ Kimberly... I don't think I need to be thinking about some of those students (think coeds) in their underwear at that particular point in time... ;o)

    @ Liz... I am sure things will go well. As Saturday nears, my confidence is getting a bit better... :o)

    ~shoes~

    ReplyDelete
  7. Blue GrumpsterDecember 11, 2012 at 2:27 PM

    Is Mr Shoes a bit nervous? Nervous is good. What I used to do when I had to address a couple of hundred people.... I'd stay up all night and be so tired by the time I had to pick up that mic I couldn't care less. 'RC, you were so relaxed!' No, I was sleepy is what I was....

    You'll do just fine. :)

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    Replies
    1. Red ShoesDecember 11, 2012 at 2:56 PM

      Hi there, Grumpy RC...

      Yeah, I agree... a little nervous is good.

      I have the talk the way I want it to go... it will be pretty ok. I'm sure there will be a few butterflies, but that's normal.

      I so hope all is well for you and your new bride!

      ~shoes~

      Delete
  8. Miss Stormy "Gumshoe" MarplesDecember 11, 2012 at 3:26 PM

    I don't know about u but I have been "CHEERY". I'm loving my December. Got my Charlie Brown Christmas tree and my silver retro tree. The pup and I have gone nightly for walks in Harbor Town and enjoyed the Christmas lights. Haven't bought a single present but have taken friends out for supper, plays, movies, and drinks at Coffeehouse. I did buy myself one little itty bitty present last night from Macy's. Chanel's Red Pirate lipstick. Got my silver dusting glitter on. I am so in the mood.

    So--less than a week. I got my two tickets yesterday in the mail. I was a wee bit worried that they weren't mailed in time. I do not want my family to have to wait on me in case something came up. Buttons has been having tummy aches lately. If he is ill, Saturday morning, then I will be staying home with him. He is my first priority. I see it starts at 10:00 a.m. and something about arriving early for good seats. I shall leave Memphis at 7:30 a.m.

    U will be fine. Enjoy it. I imagine it can be nerve racking. I guess I would pretend GirlShoes and BoyShoes are the ones the advice for the future is--hundreds of Girlshoes and Boyshoes then it definitely will be spoken from the heart with love. No?

    Take care this week. I'm sure a few marjuaritas will be in order. No?

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    Replies
    1. Red ShoesDecember 14, 2012 at 10:46 AM

      Good morning, Stormy... the good news is that by this time tomorrow, my damage will be done! HA!

      God, I'm nervous!!!

      But, things will be ok...

      Yes, Alluvial Flood Plain State does require tickets in order to get into the colisium...

      Anyhoo...

      ~shoes~

      Delete
  9. Nancy/BLissed-Out GrandmaDecember 11, 2012 at 4:52 PM

    Use the nervousness to generate energy. Do not apologize (in any sense), just dive right in with gusto. Saying your are honored and humbled to speak on this occasion is better for one's credibility and self-esteem than saying you are nervous or (totally the worst) can't understand why they chose you. But you knew that. Have fun and be sure to report back here!

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    1. Red ShoesDecember 14, 2012 at 10:50 AM

      Good morning, Blissed...

      This time tomorrow, my damage will be done... HA!!

      My plans are to handle it in the style you recommended.

      I obviously have confidence issues... probably in most facets of my Life. This will most definitely test my limits!

      I will let you know how it goes!!
      Thank you so for your support!!

      ~shoes~

      Delete
  10. red.neck chicDecember 12, 2012 at 5:17 PM

    I think yer gonna totally kick butt! As a matter-of-fact... I'm sure of it!

    Ewe'r gonna be great. I know it - now you should know it.

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    Replies
    1. Red ShoesDecember 14, 2012 at 10:54 AM

      God, I hope so, Robelyn... I am so nervous about this. I have an upset stomach today, due to nerves... but I will be better.

      Good luck with your endeavor today!!

      ~shoes~

      Delete
  11. Introverted ArtDecember 12, 2012 at 8:51 PM

    Red, you will do AWESOME. But it does help to picture everyone naked and farting or scratching their butts...I also have found that being completely honest about being nervous or uncomfortable helps demystify the public speaking thing. And breath, so your voice sound steady. But seriously: naked+farting+scratching ass= laugh or no nervousness.

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    1. Red ShoesDecember 14, 2012 at 10:57 AM

      Good morning, Ana...

      Well, I'm sure you are familiar with that old saying, Hell, most people one does not WANT to see naked!!!

      Those that one might want to see naked could end up being a great distraction... no? :oD

      I suppose I could fart... as a form of being an ice breaker.

      ~shoes~

      Delete
  12. AmiDecember 12, 2012 at 10:04 PM

    It occurs to me that what you're doing is what you do all the time... teaching. You have something to teach those who are listening. That's it.

    And like your classes, there will be those who don't get the message. There will be some who don't even bother listening, instead being busy daydreaming, texting, counting ceiling tiles... whatever.

    This isn't your fault, this is how people are, and you know it.

    So get up, do what you do, say what you're going to say, and know that you will be just fine.

    You can do this. Trust me, because I am a stranger on the internet and I am pretty smart.

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    1. Red ShoesDecember 14, 2012 at 11:00 AM

      Good morning, Ami. Yes, it is something that I do all of the time... it's just the arena this time. Instead of a max of 40 students, it's going to be closer to 4,000 people... YIKES!!!

      Your next-to-last sentence is right on!

      As is your last sentence, as well... :oD

      Thank you!!!

      ~shoes~

      Delete

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