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It’s a Breakthrough!

Doesn’t it feel good to finally get over yourself? I’ve just had that sort of experience about, of all things, speaking to an audience. You wouldn’t think that would be a problem for me!

You know about Last Story Standing, the National Speakers Association’s storytelling contest. I was excited to be a finalist in my chapter’s competition. I was also worried about being onstage at the Skokie Theatre for the next round.

I’ve been using a cane fulltime for nearly a year now at my physical therapist’s insistence. Back issues, hip issues, feet issues – you name ‘em, I’ve got ‘em. An assistive device makes all the sense in the world.

It also makes me self-conscious about my physical condition—and my age.

But I need it for this event—it would be embarrassing to wobble on stage, or (God forbid!) to fall down.

The contest manager and I contemplated solutions. Should I come out on stage and sit? Maybe just perch on a high stool?

But then I’d still need a cane to get out there. What would I do with it while I sat or perched and talked? And if I had a cane in one hand and a mic in the other, I couldn’t use gesture effectively—or at all. I can’t be on stage waving a cane around!

We considered all kinds of scenarios, and I began to regret entering this contest.

At last, the light bulb went on.

Well, I should say the light bulb was turned on. Thanks to a contest judge and coach. Eliz Greene had used a cane on stage for a while when she hurt her back. She told me I need one of those quad-bottom canes, with four prongs on the base instead of a smooth circle.

Aaaargh.

I didn’t want one of those! I’ve always resisted a pronged cane because it would really make me look old.

It would also, Eliz pointed out, stand up by itself.

That meant I could walk on stage with it, let go of it, rest my hand on it if I needed it, let go of it again, use my hands as the communication tools they’re meant to be … and generally be my mostly-unsupported self.

Makes sense, doesn’t it?

So, I got myself a four-pronged cane, and I’ve been practicing with it. It does make the staging so much easier.

And I’m pretty sure I don’t really look any older with it than without it.

Maybe you’ve been resisting help you need?

Some talented speakers need notes to stay on track with their audience, but they heard from some expert they’re supposed to be able to speak without looking at a piece of paper.

Some of us need glasses to see the notes. Or the audience. Or both! But they’ve always thought the glasses interfered with their front-of-the-room presence.

Some speakers need a pro’s help creating visual aids. Graphs and charts and slides just aren’t in their wheelhouse.

And if we talk about life off the stage, many professionals in all kinds of jobs need a boost from somebody or something to do their work most effectively. Trying to forge ahead on our own just to prove we can is silly, don’t you think?

I’m starting to look for other areas where I could use a hand. And I’m committing to asking for it. I hope you’ll join me.

PS: Now that I’m getting comfortable using what I used to think of as an old-lady-cane, I’m also much more eager to be out there speaking. If your group could use a boost in communication skills, professional presence, or networking, give me a shout!