Intimidation Cures

[Marlene A. Sassaman]

Help, I need to get over my intimidation blues. I am generally not a shy person. Yet, when faced with someone I hold in high esteem, someone I think is a better sailor than I, I lack the confidence to engage them in conversation that flows smoothly. I am sure it is my lack of experience interviewing folks. I need to get better at selling myself to sailors who can help me excel. Yes, I plan to solo circumnavigate the globe.While pursuing that goal I want to become a more accomplished competitor. I want to join teams and participate in events that will enhance my skills. Most of the time this past year I have been training, but I need to get to the next level.

To get to the next level one has to talk with the champions. To find a mentor who is at the top of their game. I know that, I just get tongue tied; like last night I had the perfect opportunity to ask an olympic competitor questions and the whole time I thought she was looking at me as if I am some idiot sailor. Sure, she said she would keep me in mind should she ever need an alternate at the last minute, but it wasn't convincing to me. I felt like she was being polite.

I won't give up; after all one of my dearest friends finally earned the respect to become a principal at one of our district's most prominent schools. It was many years of dedication, hard work, and overcoming obstacles that got her that position. With a smile, and a plan I go forward to find the next sailing celebrity to learn from.

But if you can offer me one little interviewing tid bit to boost my confidence I would be grateful. Thanks for listening.

[Dan Vitale]

Try broaching a parallel subject. One time I had to interview a grisly, frigid professor who acted like he hadnt the time nor the inclination to speak with the likes of me. But I noticed a picture on the wall of him and some others hiking in the mountains, so I asked him about it. Turned out that we both shared a love for the Adirondacks and we talked long enough about the mountains and hiking to soften him up for a great interview on the original topic I needed. After that it was easy; its like stretching before exercise.