General Chat

Unexpectedly, I have to give a talk tomorrow to a fairly large group of people I don't know. I've never done one before and never wanted to do one. I'm quite shy and I'm panicking already. I don't expect to get much sleep tonight. So send me good vibes at 10 am tomorrow morning and for the following half hour. Angela

Angela, I'm going to wish you luck and send you the good vibes tomorrow. I am sure you wont need them and will give a brilliant talk:-)) Allie

Thanks Allie/Valley This talk is out of the blue. I don't feel equipped to give it but I've been given no choice as due to a combination of unfortunate circumstances there is no one else available. I only found out I was to do it a few hours ago. I'm relatively calm at the moment because I haven't had time to get worked up but as the evening goes on I'm getting more and more nervous. I have IBS and high blood pressure and stress really gets to me. I can't think of anything more stressful than standing up in a room full of people, without being sure of what I'm saying, and talking to them for half an hour. I'll be very glad to get to tomorrow lunchtime. Angela

Marion, great idea!!!! I'll give it a go. Angela

Good luck Angela ,they would not have asked you to do it if they did not think that you where capable. Val gc

Good Luck Angela - i'm sure you will not need it - it will be just the initial nerves I'm sure and once the ice is broken the confidence that has been installed in you will come shining thro'

Once you get going their will be no stopping you. Sue

good luck im sure ul do ok :-))

sending positive thoughts.......you can do it but i wish you luck anyway.xx

Thanks for all your good wishes. I wish I was as confident that I'm doing it because they think I can. Actually, its more of a case that I'm the last person standing and now they've paid out for the venue and gear someone has got to do it so its not a waste of money. Anyway, I know I'll survive and your thoughts go a long way to help - will definitely imagine them naked especially!!!! I feel a bit of a fraud asking for support for something so small, when others on this site have bigger problems. But this is one small thing on top of a lot of bigger things that I haven't wanted to bore people with. Anyway, I'm off for an early night now - or at least to try for one. Hope to be back on site tomorrow evening. Angela

I had to do a couple whilst at college doing my Access to Healthcare course. They are nerve-racking...... but the suggestion of imagining they are all naked does work!!!! Thanks for your lovely message on the thread "How many in your tree" Julie

Angela - good luck for tomorrow. First time I had to do the same I hit them first with a funny story - get them laughing first thing and then they are on your side. Jacqui

Angela - good luck, will do my best to send vibes at 10am tomorrow - but l'm sure you won't need them. Go girl!!!:o) Jude s wales

hi angela,the build up to these events,can be so nerve racking,but taking part is much easier..its the first steps,that are the worst,afew seconds into your talk,and youl be fine. breathing techniques that you will find helpful. 1/ breath in deap to the count of four,breath out slowly to the count of six. 2/ the yogic method...the finest technique ever found,works in three mins to decrease,heart rate,and stress.......close mouth...close left nostril by holding with finger...breath in deep through right nostril...hold breath...close right nostril...and breath out through left nostril...breath in deep through left nostril...hold breath,close left nostril...breath out through right nostril....alternate for five minutes. try this tonight,and tomorrow morning,hope it helps. bryan.

Angela, Make eye contact with one friendly looking person and speak dirctly to him (or her). As long as the mike is on, all the others can listen in. Go for it gal, you never know what you can do until you try. Jim

Angela, if you come back on you can practise your talk on all of us!! We're very attentive! What is the talk about by the way?

Angela Tell them one of Lynda's rude jokes that'll get them going, and remember there all naked, you'll slay em, stand proud you can do it Best of luck David

Good luck Angela, I'm sure that you don't need it. Go for it! Maggy

Thanks again to everyone for their good wishes. I did the presentation and I can't pretend it wasn't an ordeal. The powerpoint slides wouldn't work and it took a while to sort out, and then there were some domestic problems. But I spoke for half an hour then took questions and seemed to be well received. I was honest and owned up at the outset that this was my first presentation but despite that I got a few comments afterwards that I had come across confidently and that I spoke clearly and they would never have known. I will never enjoy doing these things, but now I know I can survive them. I just hope it will be a long time before I have to do another one. I'm so relieved it's over. Angela

John To answer your question, it was a talk about the Welfare Food Scheme and how the Government is changing it. The scheme gives tokens for free milk to low income families - its been around since Winston Churchill introduced it in 1940. It's being changed so it gives vouchers for fresh fruit and veg as well as milk, and there are lots of technical alterations as well to make it work better. It's all about helping people have a better diet, so they'll be healthier and avoid obesity etc. But changing something that's been around for so long always attracts comment even if the changes are for the better. Angela