Today I had the "pleasure" of giving my third sacrament meeting talk ever. I gave my first talk somewhere around Pioneer Day 2006, and the subject was (obviously) about pioneers. When I was called to give that talk, I started hyperventilating into a paper bag before I even put down the phone. Fortunately, for my second talk, which I gave about a week before this blog started, I only started hyperventilating when I heard that I would be speaking along with some High Council speakers. This time, I didn't hyperventilate at all, despite the fact that the bishop only called me on Friday. Then again, that probably had to do with the fact that, coincidentally, I had to speak about the same subject as last time (that is, the Sacrament).
In any case, I think I'm getting better at this whole "public speaking" thing. My talk was met with nigh-universal praise. All I need to do now is learn how to not sweat like a pig and how to inflect my voice so I don't sound monotone.
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5 comments:
Practice, practice, practice! I took up public speaking in my youth ( I even went to State and placed ) but I still cannot convince my subconscious that this is not a good situation. On a conscious level, however, I love to give talks which is why I am never called on to do it...think about it.
Technical Merit: 10.0
Artistic Expression: 7.5
As Marcy said: practice, practice, practice...the sweat will subside when you are a little more comfortable. It may never completely go away - I myself use a hefty dose of anti-perspirant before a speaking assignment.
Or the sweat never goes away and you can think of it as 'Church Cardio' as I do. I don't mind speaking but it won't ever be easy. Now I wear my glasses, that are only for reading, and the congregation is all fuzzy - nice.
I thought it was a very good talk, and I liked the monotone delivery. It made it sound very scholarly.
Keep practicing and it will get easier. You gave a great talk with good insight.
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