Well, the first thing I advise my clients is to take to heart that overused truism that any of us older than fifteen has heard again and again:YOU ARE YOUR OWN WORST CRITIC.

You'd do well to embroider a sampler, tat a doily, write a song, paint a poster, decorate a cake, write in the sand at the beach--anything to keep that message in your consciousness!

We all have times when things just don't hang together--when our concentration has been challenged by fatigue, bad news from home, or just the wrong kind of food for our dinner. (At times of stress, our impulse is to choose carbohydrates and sweets, when our brains would function better if we ate a simple protein and salad.)

Take comfort from the fact that whatever subject you chose to speak on is undoubtedly more familiar to you than to your audience, and that they did, in fact, learn something worthwhile from you.

Think back to the substance of your talk. Pinpoint particular phrases, words or ideas that you can honestly feel contributed a valuable thought to at least some of your listeners.

If your opening was weak, recall some part of your talk that elicited a giggle, a nod, or rapt attention from a couple of listeners.

Find some nugget of value anywhere in your talk, and focus on that.

If your closing lacked a sense of climax--if it just petered out and ended--do some research and rethinking when you're in the privacy of your own place. Then rewrite in a couple of different ways to build a sense of anticipation for the climax.

Try your best to ascertain if your talk itself needs work, or if the circumstances that particular time accounted for your less-than-marvelous performance. If it's the former, do whatever is necessary to make your speech fulfill your own high standards. If it's the latter, do your utmost to take steps to avoid a repeat situation.

After your speech, when someone from the audience tells you of another talk of yours that they really enjoyed, don't be defensive and assume that this talk fell short. Instead, ask them what it was that they especially enjoyed about that talk. Sometimes the feedback is invaluable.

Promise yourself that you'll profit from this learning experience.

Then let it go, and do something you enjoy.

Carole McMichaels

If this is to be a true Bio, it must be in first person singular, so here I am, giving you all my "Singular I's". My life has been long, unconventional, exciting and filled with music, my first love and my first career.

Were it not for an absence of current rules and regulations, I would not be here at all. You see, my father was my mother's cello teacher--a horrible no-no in today's school world. They were married in the Interlachen Music Camp where my father taught trumpet and conducting.

As a child I gave many recitals, usually the first half on piano, the last half on violin. I loved it, but would have preferred (though I didn't know it at the time) music written by live people rather than by dead white men. Still my preference.

A favorite past-time of my four-year's-younger brother and me was to sing rounds a half-step apart. Great ear training for the contemporary music in which I later specialized! Playing hours of orchestral and chamber music--and kick-the-can, swimming, reading and traveling rounded out my childhood activities. A happy childhood!

As an adult I migrated to New York City where my professional life took different turns. I stopped the violin in favor of accompanying instrumental and vocal recitals. Then, because of injuries, I did a stint as a Broadway dancer--and finally ended up as a classical singer. Working with Leonard Bernstein for his time as conductor of the New York Philharmonic was an exhilarating experience.

At the time, 12-tone music was the be-all and end-all of the New York music scene; singers who could sing these beasts were few and far between. However, because I had perfect pitch and a strong instrumental background, I had a fertile field for my interests and abilities.

For variety I sang on cruise ships, did musical comedy, an occasional substitute job as organist in some of the large churches (a total thrill!) Did a bit of folk dancing on Puerto Rican TV, some pretty humorous modeling jobs, and set up the first audio language program in Tehran, Iran.

I have a lovely daughter, compassionate and creative.

For the last thirty years I've been a hypnotherapist, working with individuals and presenting workshops on a variety of topics. My passion is teaching!

Now I specialize in helping performers and public speakers prepare their presentations; using Energy Psychology, we permanently jettison their stage fright. Very interesting and gratifying work!

And I write.