Of course public speaking can be terrifying. And one loop we can get into is not memorizing the script so well, then worrying, then being in front of an audience and forgetting, then worrying that you have forgotten and spiraling downward. What if instead, you try letting yourself off the Read more…
TRAP 12: “GETTING SICK OF YOUR DAMN SELF“ YOU: Now that I’ve memorized my story, I am SICK and TIRED of it. Of myself, in fact. I’m afraid I’m indulgent, pretentious, un-funny. I want to quit! ME: Hurray! You’ve finally reached my favorite part. You’re sick of your ‘self’! Another Read more…
TRAP 11: FEAR OF FORGETTING YOU: “Ok, I’ll try to memorize my script, I’m so afraid I’ll forget my lines on stage.” ME: “People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did. But they will never forget how you made them feel.” -Maya Angelou “Once you’ve given it Read more…
Trap 10: “WINGIN’ IT” YOU: “I don’t really believe in memorizing and rehearsing. If I “over-rehearse” I’ll sound like a robot delivering lines, instead of a real human being… I’m more of a wing-it, improv-type person. It always goes better that way. If I can’t do that here, I’m out.” ME: Read more…
TRAP 9: YOU’RE STILL THE SAME YOU: Telling a story where nothing changes from the beginning to the end. ME: “You’re going to tell this story a lot of times. Some scientists say that our entire identity is a collection of memories. Repetition re-inscribes what is. So whatever truth you claim Read more…
TRAP 8: TMI TERROR YOU: “Am I really going to tell this story, in public? This is way too personal and vulnerable. Overshare! Not possible!” ME: “People like us for our good qualities, but they LOVE us for our flaws.” -Someone Wise “When we get especially vulnerable on stage, our Read more…
TRAP 6: “COMPARE AND CONTRAST“ YOU: “I feel a bit out of place here, being a professional comedian/speaker/actor (or other kind of professional). It’s not that I’m… better than you all, but I’m just not learning as much as I’d like to, being surrounded by, let’s face it, people struggling Read more…
TRAP 5: “COMPARE AND COMPLAIN“ YOU: (SECRETLY, INSIDE) “Maria is so good. Can I even compete with her brilliance/humor/presence? (I can’t.)” ME: “It’s so difficult for us to see our own gifts. We are literally blind to our own genius. Our brains evolved to escape from tigers and bears. That’s how Read more…
TRAP 3: “LIFE IS SUDDENLY AMAZING“ YOU: “I suddenly realize I don’t really have time for this creative stuff. I’ve suddenly got SO much on my plate, and it’s really… self-indulgent. For my kids/career/partner/other creative project/suddenly amazing new job offer, I just don’t have time!” ME: “I do notice when Read more…
TRAP 2: “THIS ISN’T QUITE IT.” YOU: “I can’t seem to say what I really want to say, in just the way I really want to say it. I quit!” ME: “Ugh, that must feel really uncomfortable! Some part of you knows just how it should feel, and it’s like an Read more…