Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Blogging + Reading = 1 Summer Program!

This was my first experience in front of peers and I have to honestly say I tanked! My 47 minute run in the comfort of the video conference room at work became a 27 minute nightmare at the mini-conference. I got scared, I made no sense, I lost them after 5 minutes, and I tripped over every word (or just plain said the wrong word) than what I was thinking. It reminded me controlling planes when I had a rush and I would transpose numbers. For example, I would be talking to UPS123 and I would say Brown tail 321. I'm an idioto! Chalk it up to experience and move on, right. It's funny, but it is the same program in which I hated my article in May. :P

No need to comment. I'm just venting and will hang my head and Press On!

7 comments:

Stella said...

Bummer. Next one should go better. Just say to yourself (Emerson's words, not mine): "Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense." (I tacked up this advice in my cubicle--I refer to it often!)

I'm on an Adult Technology Team in our system--we are developing tools for staff to teach the public how to use technology. We are all in the same boat. Some days you win, and some you lose. Nature of the game.

maggie moran said...

Thank you, Stella! That is a wonderful quote and a great idea to have it near.

I ran over the presentation in my car (2 hour commute) a couple of times and had a good ole ugly cry. I realized I would have done it the same no matter what. I was well prepared, knew the material by heart, and well it just didn't work.

Otherwise, I had a good time that day and reconnected with some bloggie friends and made new ones.

I found the easiest way to teach others is using screen shots, lots and lots of them. A handout they can take home with all the screen shots, helps jog their memories. I hope that helps you in some way. Feel like I owe you. ;)

Thanks again, Stella! My mind is at ease. :)

Susie said...

Aw Maggie, I'm thinking you did better than you thought. You were a MASTER at teaching us blundering idiots how to blog at the library. Do you KNOW what a miracle it is that I can even blog on a consistant basis? It's because of your clear simple teaching plan. Take heart! You're going places, kid!

Debi said...

Oh Maggie, I'm so sorry! Somehow I imagine it wasn't as bad as you feel it was. But even if it was...well, it's over, right? I just hope it doesn't do anything to hurt your confidence, because you truly do rock, you know?!!

maggie moran said...

It's over and I'm moving on, Debi! Thanks you for your concern. :)

Nyssaneala said...

From a verteran public speaker who has her fair share of bad presentations, all I can say is Onward! :) I'm sure it was much better than you think. And if it really was that bad, rest assured that you're not alone in screwing up a public talk!

maggie moran said...

Thank you, Nyssaneala! That makes me feel better. I went back and listened to the pod cast, and it wasn't so bad. There were times when I was hard to understand such as when I pronounced "theme" it sounded like I said "thing". These things will improve with use - I hope! ;D