(Getting an early start with today’s post. Busy day ahead of me.)
1. Mini-conference at my hospital with Dr. Brian Goldman of CBCs, White Coat, Black Arts is coming to speak to some Patient Experience Advisors.
2. Then drive with my Dad to the Toronto airport for his two week escape to Trinidad. (I am so excited for my Dad, btw.)
On the machine now and being productive.
So . . . Which RABBIT and what HAT??
Okay.
So my boyfriend and a few of his friends launched a Multicultural Social Group in town. There are many local groups, specific to a race, culture or religion, but few groups that welcome everyone.
The night before the launch the core people got together to plan the event. I helped develop a program (order of events) for the night touching on all of the areas that needed attention. As was arranged, an emcee would host the night for us using the clear, detailed program notes I made.
So, we’re at the event (the next day) and I speak to the guy who we expected would host for us. Great dj voice. Nice man . . . but he didn’t know he was expected to emcee and he wasn’t comfortable because he wasn’t familiar with the group’s “culture”.
Guess who emceed on the stop with no notice . . . ME.
I have to say, when I knew that I had to do it I didn’t even panic. I had helped create the event program. I had taken time earlier on that day to write down a lot of detail so an emcee could go host it with the understanding of order, what happened at what time, who spoke when, etc. I was very familiar.
I’m proud of myself.
It is a small addition to my confidence as I continue to pursue my public speaking goals.
It is certainly an accomplishment when I look back at one of the most embarrassing moments in my life – related to public speaking.
In my second year of university I had to present part of a group oral presentation in a Race and Ethnic Relations class, in the department of sociology. I was prepared. I had tried to psych myself up to do my part but when it came time for me to speak I froze and no words would come out. I remember seeing the rows of stunned faces staring back at me. I apologized and ran out of the class. (Don’t even remember grabbing my bag or coat or books. I just bolted!!) YIKES!!!!!!
It’s nice to see how far we’ve come through time.
It’s nice to see that the hard work – all the little steps that helped me build my confidence – all added up for something positive.
I know I’m not at the pinnacle yet. I hope to never reach any pinnacle.
I want to always be striving to be and do more . . . but from this vantage things looks quite nice. And I am HAPPY.