Going back to my previous post, in the second day of the Innovation Academy, I was the last person to choose my role. I didn't know what to do and that was when Mr. Topf asked me "what role do you want to do?" I thought to my head "I have no idea, what am I going to say?" I looked at the list: 'Experience Designers', 'Presenters' and 'Video Editors'. I was lost. Mr. Topf the suggested for me to be a presenter, I immediately think "No" in my head because I knew I wasn't good at talking in public. I considered the idea, maybe it would help me. I quietly said "sure, I'll do it." I didn't know how I got myself to agree, but I did, after agreeing, Mr. Topf asked again "are you sure? I don't want to pressure you to do it," slightly surprised. I confirmed and again, I had surprised myself.
I can say that I honestly thank whatever made me volunteer that day. Without being a presenter for my group in the iWeek, I probably wouldn't be as comfortable I am now speaking up my own ideas. I've always been able to say what I think or ask questions in class, but sometimes I'm also scared of how others will react to what I say. Presenting definitely helped me. Speaking in public has been very hard for me since forever, the nerves always taking the best of me, making me forget my lines. After practicing and practicing for Monday during the whole weekend, I thought I was ready for the presentation. I wasn't. Arriving to school while repeating the presentation over and over, having everything memorised didn't help. When I presented to my group, I forgot everything that I had memorised. My nerves were on the moon and my face was flushing red with embarrassment. I wanted to apologise but doing that would have been unnecessary, so I just started all over. I stuttered my way through the whole presentation. It was a mess.
It was so hard for me to stay calm afterwards, pushing myself so much to get everything perfect for the actual and real presentation. Maybe it was all the pressure I had on myself, but I was determined to get this presentation right. I improved everything I was going to say to make it easier to remember and to a more casual and entertaining vocabulary, something less formal.
While I presented I realised that this had been probably the best presentation I've ever given publicly. It all seemed so surreal, I had just messed up badly in the practice presentation and I had never been good at presenting, but it all worked out. The fact that I took the risk to accept the role has gained me so much as a student and as a person. After delivering the presentation, I felt very good and proud about myself. I just thanked myself for taking the challenge.
This made me realise that the things you're scared of are waiting for you to scare them off. You should never be restraining yourself from improvement and persistence.
I can say that I honestly thank whatever made me volunteer that day. Without being a presenter for my group in the iWeek, I probably wouldn't be as comfortable I am now speaking up my own ideas. I've always been able to say what I think or ask questions in class, but sometimes I'm also scared of how others will react to what I say. Presenting definitely helped me. Speaking in public has been very hard for me since forever, the nerves always taking the best of me, making me forget my lines. After practicing and practicing for Monday during the whole weekend, I thought I was ready for the presentation. I wasn't. Arriving to school while repeating the presentation over and over, having everything memorised didn't help. When I presented to my group, I forgot everything that I had memorised. My nerves were on the moon and my face was flushing red with embarrassment. I wanted to apologise but doing that would have been unnecessary, so I just started all over. I stuttered my way through the whole presentation. It was a mess.
It was so hard for me to stay calm afterwards, pushing myself so much to get everything perfect for the actual and real presentation. Maybe it was all the pressure I had on myself, but I was determined to get this presentation right. I improved everything I was going to say to make it easier to remember and to a more casual and entertaining vocabulary, something less formal.
While I presented I realised that this had been probably the best presentation I've ever given publicly. It all seemed so surreal, I had just messed up badly in the practice presentation and I had never been good at presenting, but it all worked out. The fact that I took the risk to accept the role has gained me so much as a student and as a person. After delivering the presentation, I felt very good and proud about myself. I just thanked myself for taking the challenge.
This made me realise that the things you're scared of are waiting for you to scare them off. You should never be restraining yourself from improvement and persistence.