Friday, October 2, 2020

My 99 second talk that never was

You know when you're in class and the teacher starts calling random names to quiz the class and you keep repeating inside your head "Not me, not me, not me" and then your name is called? Well, it didn't happen to me today. 

What's a 99-second talk?

One of the greatest things about TestBash conferences is the last section, the 99 second talks. The idea is that 99 seconds is long enough for you to give public speaking a try, to conquer your fear in a safe environment, but 99 seconds is short enough for it to not make you terribly anxious about what to say. Also, if you're into public speaking and if you're not, why not give it a try? 

Anyway, I gave a 99-second talk at my first TestBash two or three years ago...it was TestBash Manchester precisely. The prize for being brave enough to speak was a beautiful light blue type of Moleskine notebook that one of the sponsors was giving, and I told myself I was doing it for the notebook but I knew why I was really doing it. 

Standing in line when no one can see you

The experience was different today because the queue up the stage wasn't visible. Nevertheless, every time I thought I was waiting for my turn, I kept repeating inside my head "Not me, not me, not me"...I guess I'm feeling a bit shy today and although I wanted to push myself, I didn't really want to push myself at the same time. I'm happy technology wasn't my friend today, but that doesn't mean I think the message should remain unsaid, so I thought I'd blog about it. 

I thought it was important to share this with you today because I've clipped my own wings in the past and it doesn't make sense so I've stopped doing it. 

I suck
I've always thought I sucked at art, so why keep trying?
I've always thought I had -1 musical talent, so why bother trying to learn how to play an instrument?

Sometimes it doesn't matter how many times you hear the phrase "Practice makes perfect", does it? Sometimes it just doesn't stick. 

I have stopped depriving myself of learning opportunities and if you're doing it as well, please, give yourself a chance.