Comments on: Stepping Up to the Mic on JFP Radio http://www.reschoolyourself.com/stepping-up-to-the-mic What Do You Want to Learn Today? Sat, 13 Mar 2010 19:08:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Brian http://www.reschoolyourself.com/stepping-up-to-the-mic#comment-1842 Brian Sun, 30 Nov 2008 23:21:34 +0000 http://www.reschoolyourself.com/?p=1464#comment-1842 Melia, Yes, awesome show. I was surprised to read that you were nervous because I would have had no idea listening to it. The first presentation I had to give on my ship I apparently said "Umm" so many times that at our Christmas gift exchange someone gave me a bottle of "Tums" with the T erased. Ums... very clever. Melia,
Yes, awesome show. I was surprised to read that you were nervous because I would have had no idea listening to it.
The first presentation I had to give on my ship I apparently said “Umm” so many times that at our Christmas gift exchange someone gave me a bottle of “Tums” with the T erased.
Ums… very clever.

]]> By: Melia http://www.reschoolyourself.com/stepping-up-to-the-mic#comment-1774 Melia Fri, 28 Nov 2008 19:04:37 +0000 http://www.reschoolyourself.com/?p=1464#comment-1774 I just listened to the rebroadcast of the show, and I'm pleased to say that it went very smoothly. While I was doing the show, I didn't have a sense of whether I was explaining the project clearly. As a listener today, I found the conversation with Sage and Kimberly entertaining and think that my ideas came across as I intended. It's a good reality check to take a step back and look at ourselves from an outside perspective. I just listened to the rebroadcast of the show, and I’m pleased to say that it went very smoothly. While I was doing the show, I didn’t have a sense of whether I was explaining the project clearly. As a listener today, I found the conversation with Sage and Kimberly entertaining and think that my ideas came across as I intended. It’s a good reality check to take a step back and look at ourselves from an outside perspective.

]]> By: Melia http://www.reschoolyourself.com/stepping-up-to-the-mic#comment-1677 Melia Tue, 25 Nov 2008 02:49:40 +0000 http://www.reschoolyourself.com/?p=1464#comment-1677 Thanks, Sage! (and Sage's mom) I had fun, too, and I'll definitely do the show again. When I get blindfolded and thrown into the back of a van, I'll assume I'm in your good hands. Thanks, Sage! (and Sage’s mom) I had fun, too, and I’ll definitely do the show again. When I get blindfolded and thrown into the back of a van, I’ll assume I’m in your good hands.

]]> By: Melia http://www.reschoolyourself.com/stepping-up-to-the-mic#comment-1662 Melia Mon, 24 Nov 2008 16:44:31 +0000 http://www.reschoolyourself.com/?p=1464#comment-1662 Margaret, congrats! That's so exciting - can't wait to hear details. Good for you for focusing on the positives about the interview and putting it out of your mind, trusting that what's meant to be will be. Seeing an interview as a conversation, rather than a trial, has helped me. I try to trust that if it's the right fit, it'll work out. Clearly, it did for you! Margaret, congrats! That’s so exciting - can’t wait to hear details. Good for you for focusing on the positives about the interview and putting it out of your mind, trusting that what’s meant to be will be. Seeing an interview as a conversation, rather than a trial, has helped me. I try to trust that if it’s the right fit, it’ll work out. Clearly, it did for you!

]]> By: sage http://www.reschoolyourself.com/stepping-up-to-the-mic#comment-1661 sage Mon, 24 Nov 2008 16:34:59 +0000 http://www.reschoolyourself.com/?p=1464#comment-1661 I'm glad you only had 45 min to prepare too. It meant you just had to come in and talk... and you did such a great job! My mom was listening (west coast mom's representing) and she was so inspired by what you are doing. It was a great, fun interview and I look forward to having you on again. But I won't tell you when... I'll just come steal you away. You'll be too nervous about your possible hostage situation to think about what you'll say on the radio. I’m glad you only had 45 min to prepare too. It meant you just had to come in and talk… and you did such a great job! My mom was listening (west coast mom’s representing) and she was so inspired by what you are doing. It was a great, fun interview and I look forward to having you on again. But I won’t tell you when… I’ll just come steal you away. You’ll be too nervous about your possible hostage situation to think about what you’ll say on the radio.

]]> By: Margaret http://www.reschoolyourself.com/stepping-up-to-the-mic#comment-1651 Margaret Mon, 24 Nov 2008 13:42:27 +0000 http://www.reschoolyourself.com/?p=1464#comment-1651 Sorry for my leave of absence- I'm gone for 2 weeks or so and so much happens!! I saw Gill's facebook message about listening to you on the radio and immediately tuned in, but it was no longer the right time. I will try for the 11/28 date, from good ol' S L of O... And as far as performance anxiety, I had a recent- I guess I would say 'average'- experience: a job interview. I went in with the attitude of 1) this would be a great job 2) these people are very welcoming 3) I would be a great employee there 4) don't think about things too hard. I had realized that I have the tendency to overthink and build up first impressions too much. Basically overanalysis before the thing even happens. So I took a few hours on a few days, reviewed their website, asked 2 people if they knew anything about the firm (they didn't), and thought about what I wanted to communicate, to bring out about myself. The interview went okay, with a few unclear answers, a few lackluster suggestions, but still okay. I carefully soothed my mind into a reflection on the overall experience, not just the mistakes, and let it go. I put it out of my mind until Monday (today), when they said they would call, and planned to see a Broadway show on Friday night. Before I did, however, they called to offer me the job. I feel like this job hunting season has been a great growing experience for me, with more self-understanding and more self-acceptance being two great milestones. Notice, not complete self-understanding or self-acceptance, just more! ;-) Sorry for my leave of absence- I’m gone for 2 weeks or so and so much happens!! I saw Gill’s facebook message about listening to you on the radio and immediately tuned in, but it was no longer the right time. I will try for the 11/28 date, from good ol’ S L of O…
And as far as performance anxiety, I had a recent- I guess I would say ‘average’- experience: a job interview. I went in with the attitude of 1) this would be a great job 2) these people are very welcoming 3) I would be a great employee there 4) don’t think about things too hard. I had realized that I have the tendency to overthink and build up first impressions too much. Basically overanalysis before the thing even happens. So I took a few hours on a few days, reviewed their website, asked 2 people if they knew anything about the firm (they didn’t), and thought about what I wanted to communicate, to bring out about myself.
The interview went okay, with a few unclear answers, a few lackluster suggestions, but still okay. I carefully soothed my mind into a reflection on the overall experience, not just the mistakes, and let it go. I put it out of my mind until Monday (today), when they said they would call, and planned to see a Broadway show on Friday night. Before I did, however, they called to offer me the job. I feel like this job hunting season has been a great growing experience for me, with more self-understanding and more self-acceptance being two great milestones. Notice, not complete self-understanding or self-acceptance, just more! ;-)

]]> By: Melia http://www.reschoolyourself.com/stepping-up-to-the-mic#comment-1645 Melia Mon, 24 Nov 2008 01:34:25 +0000 http://www.reschoolyourself.com/?p=1464#comment-1645 Wow, what a story. I've heard public speaking gurus give the same advice -- instead of focusing on your self-consciousness and performance, ask yourself, "What does the audience need from me?" Information, inspiration, entertainment? As with most situations, I know I'll get a better result by projecting energy out instead of drawing it in. My challenge is that the messages of RSY (pushing through limitations, following your passion, and transforming schools) are so important to me that I want to communicate them perfectly. When I speak, I'll keep repeating the mantra, "What do people need from me?" On another subject, have you been to the Louisa May Alcott house in Concord, MA? I just visited and saw the room where she wrote Little Women, as well as the amazing artwork of May (Amy in the book). Her dad, Bronson, was an educator who used progressive, inquiry-based learning in his one-room schoolhouse. Wow, what a story. I’ve heard public speaking gurus give the same advice — instead of focusing on your self-consciousness and performance, ask yourself, “What does the audience need from me?” Information, inspiration, entertainment? As with most situations, I know I’ll get a better result by projecting energy out instead of drawing it in. My challenge is that the messages of RSY (pushing through limitations, following your passion, and transforming schools) are so important to me that I want to communicate them perfectly. When I speak, I’ll keep repeating the mantra, “What do people need from me?”

On another subject, have you been to the Louisa May Alcott house in Concord, MA? I just visited and saw the room where she wrote Little Women, as well as the amazing artwork of May (Amy in the book). Her dad, Bronson, was an educator who used progressive, inquiry-based learning in his one-room schoolhouse.

]]> By: jhisaw http://www.reschoolyourself.com/stepping-up-to-the-mic#comment-1642 jhisaw Sun, 23 Nov 2008 23:09:14 +0000 http://www.reschoolyourself.com/?p=1464#comment-1642 Melia, your interview was fantastic, and you did not seem nervous at all. You communicated your passion for the "reschool yourself" project very articulately and enthusiastically. Your question about "performance anxiety" triggered memories of my elementary school oral reports. I absolutely dreaded them! Standing in front of the class, I could think of nothing but the 25 critical pairs of eyes that were intensely scrutinizing my slouching posture, my sensible shoes, my hand-me-down dress, and my wavering voice. I recited the report at breakneck speed, then retreated to the welcome obscurity of my seat. This went on all through elementary school and into the beginning of middle school. . . and then something happened that changed my attitude toward public speaking forever. It was another report, this time on authors, but there was a critical twist: this time, not only would I be graded on my presentation, but also the students themselves would be tested on the content of my remarks! When I rose to address the class, I looked up to see 25 faces earnestly and attentively focused on every word I was about to say about Louisa May Alcott, their pens poised in active note-taking mode. Rather than criticizing my appearance, their eyes seem to plead, "Speak slowly and clearly so we can record the facts and come out of this with a decent grade!" It was a defining moment in my life. Oral reports were no longer about me.... they were about communicating a message clearly and effectively to listeners whose welfare depended on my delivery. I have never forgotten that lesson and, starting from that transformative experience, grew in my confidence to the point where I now enjoy and even seek out opportunities for public speaking. For example, I have been a lector in my church for years. Proclaiming the Word of God is an incredible privilege and responsibility, for this message truly does affect the welfare of the listeners. And each time I get up to face the congregation, I am reminded of the lesson I learned back in middle school: it's not about me. Melia, your interview was fantastic, and you did not seem nervous at all. You communicated your passion for the “reschool yourself” project very articulately and enthusiastically.
Your question about “performance anxiety” triggered memories of my elementary school oral reports. I absolutely dreaded them! Standing in front of the class, I could think of nothing but the 25 critical pairs of eyes that were intensely scrutinizing my slouching posture, my sensible shoes, my hand-me-down dress, and my wavering voice. I recited the report at breakneck speed, then retreated to the welcome obscurity of my seat. This went on all through elementary school and into the beginning of middle school. . . and then something happened that changed my attitude toward public speaking forever. It was another report, this time on authors, but there was a critical twist: this time, not only would I be graded on my presentation, but also the students themselves would be tested on the content of my remarks! When I rose to address the class, I looked up to see 25 faces earnestly and attentively focused on every word I was about to say about Louisa May Alcott, their pens poised in active note-taking mode. Rather than criticizing my appearance, their eyes seem to plead, “Speak slowly and clearly so we can record the facts and come out of this with a decent grade!” It was a defining moment in my life. Oral reports were no longer about me…. they were about communicating a message clearly and effectively to listeners whose welfare depended on my delivery. I have never forgotten that lesson and, starting from that transformative experience, grew in my confidence to the point where I now enjoy and even seek out opportunities for public speaking. For example, I have been a lector in my church for years. Proclaiming the Word of God is an incredible privilege and responsibility, for this message truly does affect the welfare of the listeners. And each time I get up to face the congregation, I am reminded of the lesson I learned back in middle school: it’s not about me.

]]> By: Mom http://www.reschoolyourself.com/stepping-up-to-the-mic#comment-1609 Mom Sun, 23 Nov 2008 04:08:05 +0000 http://www.reschoolyourself.com/?p=1464#comment-1609 You sounded great! If you were nervous, it didn't show. You sounded great! If you were nervous, it didn’t show.

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