Prescription For Cold Feet - “ACTASIF”

The name might sound like a prescription for cough bottle, it is not. ACT-AS-IF is a prescription for cold feet and improving one’s ability to speak in public. This is not a new invention. It has been around for decades at least. To overcome fright you should act as if you are brave. ACTASIF is certainly the case when it comes to Speaking in Public. Its potential uses are numerous. If you begin to feel stage fright before or while you are giving a speech, apply the technique, and act confidently. The chances are the effects of adrenaline based nervous energy will not be noticeable to your audience. An audience cannot see the rapid heart beat or sweaty palms. You the speaker may still feel the fear, and that is normal. ACTASIF can give you the kind of courage defined by Mark Twain as …. Resistance to fear……..not the absence of fear. No matter how serious the subject matter, never act as if the job is a chore. Act as if there is no place in the world you would rather be at this moment than where you are. Don’t stand as if you are in front of a firing squad. An uncomfortable speaker makes for an uncomfortable audience. If the speaker acts relaxed and happy to be there, the audience will follow suit. When the congregation falls asleep there is only one thing to do. Give the server a sharp stick and tell him to go and prod the preacher. Just as it is the Preacher’s business to keep the audience interested in his sermon, it is all speakers’ responsibility to keep their audience interested or at least awake.

All our speakers keep us on our toes at Speakeasy Toastmasters Club. Our meeting of the 25^th January was despite -2°C was well attended. Mary Moynihan, Ray Ryan, Jerry Mulcahy and Michael Cronin kept our minds concentrated with interesting and varied speeches on their chosen topics. We laughed a lot and did I once tell you that laughter is the best medicine. If Toastmasters entered a ‘Laughter Competition’ they would come out on top as the best prescription for good health, which in turn promises longevity! Needless to mention I exchanged my P.R. hat for a medical one to give you those nuggets of wisdom. So to add many more happy years to your life, drop in to our next meeting on Thursday 8^th February at 7.50 pm sharp for two hours of enjoyment which may be extended to three, when we all join in the bar for a ‘chat’ after the meeting. The Hibernian Hotel provides a very friendly and relaxing venue for us. So guests and members a big ‘cead mile failte’ is extended to you for our next meeting. The nights are cold but the coffee/tea and biscuits and the charming company will more than compensate. See you all there D.V.

Enquiries to Loretto or www.speakeasytoastmasters.com