Be the Cat: why animals and children draw attention

“Never work with animals or children.”

—W.C. Fields

Last week we talked about focusing our attention on the speaker while sharing the stage.

Wise performers have always known that they will easily be upstaged by both children and animals. Why? Because children and animals do not know that they are performing. They are simply being. And that simple state—guileless, egoless, effortless and unexpected—is riveting.

How can we be the cat? How can we have that ease and presence?

1. PREPARATION: Prepare like mad.

   1. Why Preparation Matters

   2. How to Rehearse

   3. How to Begin a Talk

   4. How to Prepare the Body of the Talk

   5. How to End a Talk

   6. Prepare to be Extemporaneous

   7. Warm Up

2. INTENTION: Have a clear intention that focuses our attention on the other/audience.

   1. Intentions Speak Louder Than Words

   2. Intention Makes Us Engaged and Engaging

3. BREATHE: Breathe.

This week, notice what behaviors we find engaging in others; notice when we feel we “should” want to engage, but don’t really want to; notice when we ourselves are at our most present and unaffected. How do these different ways of being impact us? Impact others? This week, be the cat.