My First Speaking Engagement

I do have lots of opportunities to speak at Toastmasters, but this is my first public speaking engagement, and I’m excited about it.

At any Ignite® event, you will be entertained by a series of presentations.

Speakers have 20 (PowerPoint) slides that automatically advance every 15 seconds.  Beyond the fact that the speaker must keep up with the presentation, this results in a five-minute, fast-paced talk.  It’s an entertaining platform from which people share their ideas, their message or their story.

As the Ignite® slogan states:

“Enlighten us, but make it quick”

Ignite® is not “Death by PowerPoint”

– ⋅ o ♥ o ⋅ –

The first Ignite event took place in Seattle in 2006 and has become an international phenomenon.  (You can watch this YouTube video to find out more.)

I’ve been to an Ignite® event before, and it was entertaining (to say the least).  So when I received an email from my friend, Ian, telling me, “This is right up your alley”, I decided it was time to bite that bullet and apply for to be a speaker at Ignite® Sunshine Coast #5.

Ian isn’t the first friend to tell me I should apply, however, in the past I’ve been too busy.  This time I had a Nike moment – ok, several – with my mind constantly telling me: “Just Do It!”

There I was thinking:

I have lots of ideas.

Perhaps I have a few messages.

I know I have lots of stories.

And I love sharing them.  (Thank goodness.) 

But applying was a little daunting.

What do I say about myself?  

What do I say about my story?  

OMG, 😱 which story do I wish to convey?

WHAT AM I GOING TO TALK ABOUT!

– ⋅ o ♥ o ⋅ –

In the end, the decision was easy.

With the application form completed, I held my breath and hit Send.

I considered going back and editing my application – because I could up until applications closed.  However, I got busy with work and missed the opportunity to change anything I’d said.  I’ll either be accepted or I won’t I thought.

I also thought it would be a week before I heard anything, but surprisingly, it wasn’t.  A personal congratulatory email arrived soon after the applications closed informing me I was accepted as a speaker.

I’m delighted.

Ignite® Sunshine Coast #5 is on Thursday, March 26, at a venue in Noosaville – about an hour north from where Dean and I live.

Now all I have to do to get ready, be prepared.  I have five weeks.  I’m sure that time will go by very quickly.

– ⋅ o ♥ o ⋅ –

And I guess you’re thinking: “What was your decision?  What did you decide to talk about?”

As I’ve said, in the end, that decision was easy.

I’ve chosen to talk about Australia and the (amazing) photographs I took of the places where Dean and I found ourselves lost for almost two years.

My toughest decision now will be: “Which 20 photos do I choose?” 😱