by 
Some advice from the home inspection trenches or should I say podium. Never step up to the podium without an outline or sufficient practice time for your intended message. I thought I knew what I was going to say and I thought I had a good speech ready but I wasn’t prepared for the coffee blurts.
Three cups of coffee waiting for my time in the spotlight was all it took to vaporize my train of thought and heighten my nerves. A five-minute talk came out in two minutes at a pace that took me by surprise.
Not having an outline for reference was a big mistake when confronted with a combination of brain freeze and the need to keep talking. A few key elements of my talk were passed over making what came out of my mouth sound a bit like a run on sentence that’s not sure where its going.
I’m sure most of the realtors were impressed with my lung capacity but not my message. A speech is like a two edge sword; it can cut you a path or just cut you. No doubt about it, I was bleeding profusely.
Write your outline even if you don’t think you need it and for heavens sake stay away from the coffee before a presentation, unless of course, you enjoy bleeding like a stuck pig in public.
Copyright © 2005 by Bob Kille. To read other home inspection related articles or to view home inspection software and book publications by Mr. Kille, click on this link. www.inspectorsuccess.com