I gave a 5 minute part the other day. I'd readied my trusty navy blue double-breaster and put on the same tie I wore when I gave the Bible Reading at the Circuit Assembly once (actually I bought the suit for the same occasion), but this time I had a part at the District Convention venue!
I listened to the two earlier speakers, and just knew they'd get W. My name was announced and I stepped up to the platform, slipped behind the podium as cool as can be, settled my notes, noticed where the mike was, lent my hands on the podium just so, gave a couple of people eye contact, gave an Introduction to Arouse Interest, watched my Pausing and my hissing SSSS and popping PPPP and general Proper use of Microphone and my Modulation. I used appropriate Gestures and Repetition for Emphasis. There was no opportunity to use an Illustration - given the material was interesting enough as it was. My conclusion was rousing, but there was no applause (being a symposium). I'd of got a W too, four years out of practice!
A Brother from one of my old congregations came over to me after the talk and asked me how I was. I greeted Peter warmly and asked after his family. We'd both come to this place three days a year for years and years.
He was equally warm with me, but eventually he had to ask: 'So, are you still Witnessing?'. We talked a little more about people we knew and went off to lunch (beef in red wine and chicken in white goo) separately.
I'm sure he didn't go to the Casino next door. Come to think of it, nor did I and I even had free betting coupons in my (ex-)meeting briefcase. As a shareholder in that Casino, I know better :-)
Ah... latest example of my 22 years TMS training being used! It was a bit of an Impromptu - but, gee, done that before! I co-presented a project report at an educational conference (and got 5 out of the 45 minutes! Winner!!!! Perth, Western Australia is a 5 hour flight from where I live, so I got flown there and accommodated, fed and watered for four days so as to give a 5 minute impromptu!!! Bonus!!!)
I'm 32, I gave my first 5 minute talk in front of 100 adults when I was 5. I was good at it by the time I was 18. I was very good by the time I was 25 (according to others).
Now I make my living teaching IT and a Train the Trainer certification at a vocational College (for those who're interested: Cisco CCNA Academy, Sys Admin, DBA etc)
Oh well... that's what I did last week and how I've used what the JW gave me - the confidence to Bullshit a lot to a lot of people, the work ethic to live up to most of the Bull, and the slick smooth exterior to get away with it :-)
Take care all...