This is a story about when I forgot to take up my notes to the lectern when I got up to speak to University students. I got though the situation by have a bit of fun with the audience, connected with them, have a bit of a laugh. I have included a formula for creating the situation into a bit of fun and connecting with the audience.

This story happened many years ago when I was invited to speak and preach to a group of students at Griffith University. When I got up to go to the lectern I did not realise that I left my notes on the chair at the back of the room, in the centre of the lecture theatre. I was teaching on spiritual matters, giving them a sermon on the word of God.

About half way through, I forgot what the next point was and as I walked back to the lectern to check my notes, and they were not there and I could not see them anywhere. I told another story about life, cannot remember what it was to tell you, and eventually finished the story and still could not find the notes.

At that stage, I could no longer cover up my situation, and bluff my way any more, as I realised that most of the students could see that I was looking for something. I bit the pride, and asked them whether they seen where my notes were, as they must have fallen of the lectern, or blew away, or something like that.

To my surprise, a student in the middle of the group had noticed I left my notes on the chair, and so he picked them up and started to read them. The funny thing was that as he held them up for all the group of students to see. I remembered what the next points were, I asked him whether I had stuck to the points and kept the plot, and made a bit of a joke about the situation. All students were laughing and it was quite funny at the time and I started to laugh too.

The next thing I did was I told him to keep them because I don't need them now, and check whither I kept to the point or not, and see me after the lecture and tell me how I went, all students were now shocked and laughed even more. After the excitement died down I continued on without notes and finished the lecture. All the students were now listening to what I had to say intently.

If you find yourself in a situation like that, have a bit of fun with the audience, connect with them, have a laugh, and I will grantee you, that they will remember what you say better than if the speech went perfectly. Most people just do not mind, and they love reality.

Here is the formula

• Tell a story while you try to find your notes
• Ask the audience
• Make it into a fun session
• Continue on as normal with the next point.

I don't know whether you do public speaking but it is real fun, I especially enjoy associating and connecting with the audience. In the past I have spoken to groups of people which number up to 200 people.

Neville Grundy:

Blog: http://nevillegrundy.wordpress.com Webpage : http://www.grundyit.com