F.E.A.R. -- False Evidence Appearing Real

Yesterday, I had the great fortune to do a keynote speech at the Georgia Public Risk Management Educational Conference in Savannah, GA. Because of the pandemic, it was my first time in front of a live audience in 881 days.

In the days preceding the conference, I fine-tuned my presentation and began to practice my oral delivery. It should have been “a piece of cake” as it’s a topic which I wrote a book about and have been speaking about for more than 10 years. The first dry run faltered badly. Thank God it was an audience of one – me! Perhaps I was just a bit rusty. After a break, I gave it another try which was only marginally better. 

A bit freaked out, I walked away to settle my nerves. Relating my concerns to my wife, she agreed to make it an audience of two. Dry run number three was even worse. My wife had some great inputs and I tried to incorporate them. After another break, we did it again, this time, recording the session to listen to the delivery. OH GOD! I sounded terrible. My confidence was shaken – Do I have premature stage fright? Would I go down in flames – I hoped not.

The day before my speech, I would have about four and a half hours in the car to listen to the recording and discuss ways to improve with my wife who was traveling with me. I didn’t say it out loud, but I was scared. I was fearful. We listened to the recording and paused a few times to talk about my delivery all while my wife assured me all would go well. Upon arrival at the conference hotel, yet another dry run – better, but far from acceptable. The morning of the speech, another dry run (not looking at my wife), and much, much better!

Shortly before, the 8:30 a.m. introduction to a roomful of people with high expectations, I’m singing Bugs Bunny’s Overture to myself. “Overture, curtain, lights, this is it, the night of nights. No more rehearsing, or nursing a part…” Then, the session moderator gushes about me and fires up the audience. I’m ON. Turns out F.E.A.R. – False Evidence Appearing Real had struck. I was on, energized and exhilarated! Sixty minutes later, a friend who has listened to many of my presentations gave me the best compliment when he said, “I’ve seen you on your feet many times. Today was your best.” 

There are two lessons to be learned here. My fear really was false evidence appearing real and practice does make perfect. I got my mojo back in the nick of time and am ready to pursue many more speaking engagements. I hope to see you at a conference near you. Always remember: Life is short, be BOLD!

Thank you to the Georgia Public Risk Management Association for the opportunity…I loved seeing y’all.