Standing Up - 20110816

During the past few days, somehow, I had to conduct short talk in two occasions.

When was my first experience to speak in front of a crowd? Maybe in secondary school days. I could still remember, in Form Four, we had to speak in front of our classmates during the Chinese lesson. The topic was a free pick. I chose to share my view on the ten dollars coin, which was then a new creature. The memory is still vivid. I was obviously as tense as hell, since it was my maiden voyage. I could still visualize my classmates' laugh when I was making some stupid jokes. Just the good old days.

Later, being an undergraduate, presentation was as usual as having lunch. Feigning professional, we need props, and I got my first set of suit in year two. Cheap grey ones, but tailor-made, and I still wore it for job interview some days ago. Environmental friendly enough, yet it did not bring me luck. Though we did a lot of presentation for some silly topics, I could hardly remember any of those, except the one on Hong Kong style restaurant, which was completed with some of my good friends. We had a good time on that project.

Then, on job, the opportunity for presentation was very scarce. Until now.

During the first minute of my first talk, I tried very hard to placate my shaking voice. It's ok. Throughout the whole twenty minutes, I just made one mistake that I forgot one case which was prepared to be shared. It was already a miracle. And then, take two was by far better.

So, it takes time to familiarity. And it is good that nowadays boys and girls could have their chance for presentation as early as in primary school. Practice makes perfect.