My Embarrassing First Bitcoin Lecture Attempt with my Colleagues

[alastantiger]

Thank you all for taking time to share these tips with me. I know that they would be very useful to me in my next presentation. I have noted some of them below.

• I need to focus on the technological and economic aspects of things rather than bitcoin being an investment.
• I should use icebreakers
• I'll practice my presentation in front of close friends and family. And ask for feedback.
• I need to focus on your thoughts, not their faces
• I should apply the 4 pillars “Decide. Take Action. Assess. Adjust”
• I should create an opening presentation about my presentation and distribute to colleagues prior the meeting.

[Majestic-milf]

I feel your pain, bruv, cause stage fright can make one look like an unlearned fellow seeking to make a fool of himself. You have been given another chance and if I should suggest, it's best to not let the looks on their faces intimidate you by picturing the positive outcome that could come out from the lecture.

 If I read correctly, your stage fright was borne out of several factors so I believe just like you have said, there'd be no hitches this time around. But still be prepared for anything.

[lalabotax]

However , just like Murphy's law anything that can go wrong will go wrong. The first thing that went wrong was instead of the 30 minutes for the talk my supervisor said it would be 15 minutes. Second, the air conditioning system decided to break down on that day, everywhere was so hot and you could see that my colleagues were visibly uncomfortable. Third since I was going to be the last speaker they had already had a heated argument about something that went on in the office the previous week. It was crazy.

I am sorry to hear that and sorry to say this, but you were just unfortunate with the situation. Your situation at that time was bad enough. That is why it's driving you to a condition like that. However, if I were your colleague, I may also be in the same situation. Our brain may have been very hot and super pressure because of the previous meeting discussion and with that uncomfortable place and ambiance, this will really worse the situation. Moreover, if we are going to get something very new, this will really influence your mood to accept it.

I know by then the AC would have been fixed but I want to ask members of this forum how do I overcome stage fright in my next meeting? This right now is my biggest worry and concern. I do not want to mess this up again.

Then, you should be relieved at first, moreover, you are given the second chance, and this is a very good chance for you to make them excited. You may not need to expect all people excited about what you are going to say, but at least, you are trying to ensure them and get their interest first. Because in the next meeting, you may also face quite similar conditions where they have been having previous discussions about other serious things, and they may be again not in a very good mood. So, what you need to do is first by ensuring yourself not to be fright. Actually, stage fright is very normal and happens to most people, moreover if that is the first time. but, you can train it and ensure you are ready with what you want to explain. Secondly, make the situation of the discussion and meeting lively up and cheer up again so that they can put aside their previous discussion and get new brainstorming. You may not need to teach them a very technical discussion about Bitcoin with a serious explanation because this will make them bored during the explanation. You may need to explain with something fresh, easy examples and proof, or with something that cheers up the room, that is suitable for the audience of course.

[mvdheuvel1983]

Do not be too hard on yourself. Most people mess up on their first public talk. So, breath in and relax. I have had my own fair share of the embarrassing public speaking. My suggestion, Watch some Toastmasters speeches on YouTube.  It would give you some great ideas. Goodluck

[Frankolala]

You have done well to come up with this concept, for you to be able to give a speech or presentation in public, you should put yourself in charge and don't think about whoever is sitting down to listen to you. You should have control over the people and see them like your friends or children,this will help you have the boldness to talk.

Secondly,you can start with telling them an interesting story related to what your presentation will be or a story that will catch their attention. Practice is a way out, you can practice what you will be presenting to them so that you can be very sure of what you will say. It is not easy to talk in public especially those persons who are not used to it.

[acroman08]

Thank you all for taking time to share these tips with me. I know that they would be very useful to me in my next presentation. I have noted some of them below.

• I need to focus on the technological and economic aspects of things rather than bitcoin being an investment.
• I should use icebreakers
• I'll practice my presentation in front of close friends and family. And ask for feedback.
• I need to focus on your thoughts, not their faces
• I should apply the 4 pillars “Decide. Take Action. Assess. Adjust”
• I should create an opening presentation about my presentation and distribute to colleagues prior the meeting.

these are good tips you have compiled from the comments. I am not trying to discourage you but just a reminder that knowing all these things does not mean that the next presentation would go as you planned or that the adjustments or improv you made would work. it could take several presentations before you can successfully and properly present your lecture. also, on every presentation you make it would be best to take notes on what you think you could have done better next time. anyway, Goodluck!

[qwertyup23]

<..snip..>

I know by then the AC would have been fixed but I want to ask members of this forum how do I overcome stage fright in my next meeting? This right now is my biggest worry and concern. I do not want to mess this up again. Please share some tips with me, Thank you.

Every presentation has to be associated with preparedness. No matter how knowledgeable you are on a certain topic, if you do not have any presentation available, then it is actually a recipe for disaster. I would definitely recommend creating a flowchart/framework on how you would be able to explain the fundamentals of BTC. Divide the sections and explain them as if you are explaining something to a 5-year old for them to easily understand.

Another recommendation is to show visual aids during your presentation. This will not only help them picture what you are discussing but this will also make the presentation more interesting.

[Forum_Coordinator 01]

Bad things happens every time, even a perfect speaker make mistakes what you should have done is this:
Break the ice, instead of blasting them with your lecture or information about bitcoin, you should get their attention first, what do I mean by that? calm them by making them laugh throw a joke first, to make them smile, most speaker I see does this all the time why? to get the audience interested, since they were tired or too focus on the last speaker.
You should also learn to adjust on the situation, by now you know what to do next time, experience is also a good teacher.

What if he isn't a hilarious type?? So he tries to get funny and everytime,he gets into the worst dilemma he would ever think of; the audience will be like, who's this guy in the first place??What's he got to say to us?? Huh

Man, Everything gets fucked immediately when you/ things Begin just the way you didn't plan out. It'll instill some kinda redundant fear in you and at this point, you've started mixing words already. Inferiority complex would do alot more, that someone could just urinate in their pants at the sight of a crowd.
My advice is, stick to the plan no matter what. When it goes rough and everyone seems not to pay attention, just keep doing your job and believe me, a short moment of enthusiasm would simply get them sweaty, just when they get to realize the truth in it. Immediately when it begins to look catchy to them, remember them of the bad times.
You could tell them about the loses during the DIP and they still get interested, depends on the orator which is you. Everything lies in your hands, take not of that.

[Woodie]

So two days ago I had my first proposed bitcoin lecture to my colleagues at work.

Regardless of how it went great start, bitcoin needs more ambassadors like you for it to survive and grow to its full potential.

However , just like Murphy's law anything that can go wrong will go wrong. The first thing that went wrong was instead of the 30 minutes for the talk my supervisor said it would be 15 minutes. Second, the air conditioning system decided to break down on that day, everywhere was so hot and you could see that my colleagues were visibly uncomfortable. Third since I was going to be the last speaker they had already had a heated argument about something that went on in the office the previous week. It was crazy.

What could go wrong  I guess you being the last speaker was to save the best for last and maybe neutralize whatever tensions other discussions might have brought.... Its all about seeing the positive side in any situation, it will save you from any kind of stress.

When I was giving the floor to speak, I literally froze because the look on their faces was not one of enthusiasm but one of let's just get it done with. I forgot my presentation. I was stuttering. Sweating profusely. Everywhere was so hot that my colleagues were grumbling. My supervisor reading the room understood, dismissed the meeting. He gave me another chance to talk to them about Bitcoin in the next biweekly meeting.

That went well, you needed the time and you got it, don't put so much pressure on yourself you gat this...

I know by then the AC would have been fixed but I want to ask members of this forum how do I overcome stage fright in my next meeting? This right now is my biggest worry and concern. I do not want to mess this up again. Please share some tips with me, Thank you.

These are your colleagues you see almost on a daily basis no need for the stage fright, if you can make this presentation about them to try and explain and break the ice do so and if it helps what a few YouTube videos to help give you more ideas of how to give this presentation in the easiest way .