I own a tee-shirt with this saying on it: “Doesn’t expecting the unexpected make the unexpected the expected?” A silly thought for sure but it does hold a lesson. Over the years, I’ve had dozens of crazy surprises before, during and after a talk. Like what happened Saturday.
I was speaking for a piping company, Enbridge, in Morris, IL. It was an employee appreciation dinner/safety stand up. Chris, the fellow who was my contact, and a pleasure to work with, mentioned to me during one of our planning phone meetings that there would be some family members there too. I’m figuring a few wives/husbands.
Well, while hanging out and clowning around with folks as they arrived it soon became evident that there would be several children of all different ages in the audience. A bunch of kids in the audience? Yikes! Thankfully, I had my guitar with me and know several funny children songs. So instead of starting the talk with the adults, the children and I had a blast making noises and singing a song about a box I found on the beach.
You may not play and sing but you will do well to prepare yourself for the unexpected and be ready to improvise when you are going to give a presentation/talk. Actually, isn’t that helpful in all aspects of living—to expect the unexpected?
‘till next time,
Richard
