Do I start with a story?
How about a joke?
My accomplishments? Umm, I stay-at-home with my kids and I haven't killed them?!
No, seriously. It is in those first few moments that I will be able to capture the attention of my audience. I have thought of some pretty funny things. Apron and gloves with a broom for the chore workshop. Recitation of scripture for the Bible workshop. Crazy hair like I had pulled it out and a messy desk behind me for the Organization workshop. Of course, all of those were dismissed. I like to look cute even when it comes to my pj's, so I am going to stick with normal and try and tantalize them with something other then the theatrical side of myself.
I moved on to a more technical side of public speaking and decided what I really needed was a good PowerPoint. Great quotes, photos, and bullet points. I pulled out my computer and when an hour passed and I had only successfully planned out five slides I decided that was going to be a complete waste of my time. Because, for real, computers break down all the time. The scarcity part of me said my laptop would crash the day of.
I moved on to thinking about speakers that I admire and love to listen to. One thing they have in common is that they are storytellers. They introduce who they are and they quickly move into a story that relates to the topic. It usually involves something that causes them to be perceived as human. As the audience laughs, relaxes, and nods their head in agreement they move on to the real reason they have taken center stage. I have gone through so many files in my mind of stories I could share and that is why I am not sleeping. All is quiet and I am laying in bed replaying all of these memories of the last ten years raising kids, and the twenty four before that being a kid. I know the one will come to me and possibly hasn't even been written yet, but i think I have decided...
I am going to start with a story.
