I considered my two-minute speech

I arrived early for my scheduled meeting and sat in the lobby, reflecting on how I could contribute. I reviewed the agenda and organized my thoughts about what I might bring to the discussion. I thought about my required two-minute speech and prepared to reference a short paragraph from the main presenter’s introduction. This strategy was inspired by advice I received a long time ago from my daughter, who is a professor at the University of Washington.

During my two-minute speech, I incorporated six key words that the main presenter had emphasized. As I spoke, I noticed the attentive expressions on the faces around me. It became clear that by referencing the first speaker’s words, I was acknowledging his wisdom and intellect.

We can rise to the occasion when called upon, even if we initially feel unprepared. Although my two-minute talk felt much longer, time was not a concern. When I returned to my chair, I found my coffee had gone cold. Interestingly, I enjoy cold coffee; I reflected on the positive impact I had made in that room.

Olive Rose Steele is the CEO of BLACKWOOD: Self-Publishing Made Easy and the author of “Watt Town Road: In Retrospect.”