During dinner my husband and I were listening to an Ella Fitzgerald CD and when she was singing one of my favorite songs - Mack The Knife - I heard something that shocked me. She didn't know the words to the song after a couple of lines and just made words up as she went along.
Now my shock was mostly because I couldn't believe I never noticed this before. Nonetheless, it was wonderful listening to her having great fun making words up while maintaining the tune for Make The Knife. She recorded this CD live so she couldn't very well just stop in the middle of the song - or could she?
Yes, she could have, but being the professional she is, she didn't and chose to make the best of it and just keep on going. When the song was over the audience went wild. I loved it, too!
As a speaker, I know what it feels like to forget the words sometimes, but I always do my best to keep going on. Even if it means I have to say, "Hmmm, this talk would be so much more interesting for you if I could remember what I wanted to say next." I usually get a laugh and people tend to embrace me.
Why? I can only assume it's because I allow my humanness to show through reminding the audience that I'm really no different than them - just here doing the best I can - mistakes and all.
So here's the deal. When you find yourself messing up in front of a few people or hundreds, don't let your Gremlin grab hold and take you down for the count. Let your Genie lead the way and help you laugh at yourself, make the best of the situation and just keep on going!
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I'm very excited to announce that I just launched my introduction video that will be followed by 6 other videos to help you with many different areas in your life. If you're a subscriber to my newsletter then you've already received the email about this.
But many of you who read my blog are not on my regular subscriber list and I want you to have the opportunity to see the videos, too. Click the link and you'll be taken to the page to watch this 4 minute intro video.
If you want to receive the weekly email announcing when a new video is ready for viewing just fill out the 5 Tips to Quiet the Gremlin form on the webpage and that will put you on my subscriber list.
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