Success in Boys State Leadership program

[leetx]

Hi, I am 16 years old and in high school.

Next week I will be going to this program called Boys State sponsored by the American Legion, for one week. The boys will be simulating and participating in the local, county and state politics. This program is more fun if you run for and get elected to high leadership positions (ie. mayor, freeholder, governor). You have to be very outgoing, build relationships, and do some public speaking/speeches. I would assume you have be a public person and be confident, outgoing and likeable. I would not previously know these boys, so everyone gets a fresh start. What can I do to condition myself for success and do the best I can in this program. I sometimes freeze up in front of large crowds and am sometimes introverted. Hopefully I can be chosen as one of the two candidates for Boys Nation. Not only will it be a big achievement, but you get to learn more about politics, at the National level.
I have the Paraliminals set (if that helps). There is so much development material on this forum and I'm not sure where to start or where I can get the most "bang for my time." Does anyone have any advice or have any experience with these types of leadership programs. I am heading of this Sunday. I want to do my best and to achieve in this program. I hear it a "chance of a lifetime." It's a chance for me to be like a politician. LOL

Thank Goodness for this forum. =)

[leetx]

anyone? It's not that I'm impatient, it's just that there's not many days left. LOL

[A GROWING MIND]

Well I guess if you know your stuff, you will do fine. To be honest thats kinda a weird question for us to answer....

[Max Power]

Originally Posted by leetx

What can I do to condition myself for success and do the best I can in this program. I sometimes freeze up in front of large crowds and am sometimes introverted.

Know Thyself

By the sounds of it you already have all the confidence and ability, when I was your age I had been kicked out of school, was smoking drugs, drinking, had got my girlfriend pregnant and had been caught drink driving

Just don't think you can, know you can and don't sweat it, enjoy it!

With young people like you heading off into the world, I know we'll be fine

Best of Luck

[leetx]

there no way to achieve my maximum potential? I think that's what self help was all about...? The problem is I probably don't know my "stuff" and will need stuff like charisma and friendliness to get votes and support. I will also need to do a lot of public speeches.

[legend]

Leetx, Like Zig Ziggler says The best way to get what you want is to help enough other people get what they want. So my suggestion would be to decide what position you would like to run for then find out who is running for all the other positions and offer to help them reach their goals.

Also when talking with others always spend the first half of the conversation talking about them a good way to do this is ask questions.... find out what they need, find out what they want and then explain how if you get the position you are putting in for how you would solve their problems...

[Max Power]

Originally Posted by legend

Leetx, Like Zig Ziggler says The best way to get what you want is to help enough other people get what they want. So my suggestion would be to decide what position you would like to run for then find out who is running for all the other positions and offer to help them reach their goals.

Also when talking with others always spend the first half of the conversation talking about them a good way to do this is ask questions.... find out what they need, find out what they want and then explain how if you get the position you are putting in for how you would solve their problems...

This is good advice. From a consciousness POV you are improving the imperfect state of consciousness (physical reality) and therefore making the overall state better. If you're nice to someone they are nice back and both parts win, same with not being nice.

[Max Power]

Originally Posted by leetx

there no way to achieve my maximum potential? I think that's what self help was all about...? The problem is I probably don't know my "stuff" and will need stuff like charisma and friendliness to get votes and support. I will also need to do a lot of public speeches.

Indeed that's why it's called self help and looking outside for help, while seemingly helpful, all the answers are inside.

You say "problem is I probably don't know my "stuff" and will need stuff like charisma and friendliness" if you believe that, then it's true, if you don't, then don't say it. Confidence, not arrogance adds stability to purpose. Be confident, don't think you can, know you can. It's very simple, people just want to make it complex to sense growth.

Doubt is a natural reaction, to challenge, but break it down, piece by piece and you'll see it's just an illusion. Asking questions can be helpful.

Why do I doubt myself?
Can I succeed?
What is stopping me?
Do I have the basic requirements to do well at this?
If time is short, what can I do right now (other than doubt) to kknow this is better?

Start getting to the core of doubt and I'm confident you'll see that not only are you ready, but you'll do well.

[Erin Pavlina]

Just some practical advice here:
Keep your hands at your sides when you do your speech, or put them on the podium. Dont' let them gesticulate wildly. It's distracting.

Try to use humor whenever you can so your audience warms up to you.

Definitely meet as many people as possible beforehand. Ask them about themselves and they'll come away feeling like they know YOU even though you may never talk about the details of your own life. People remember people who show interest in them. Be genuine though.

When making your speech, make eye contact with your voters. Try to use the word "you" a lot instead of "I"

Instead of "I will do this and I will do that" be more like, "You want this. I understand. You want that. I can get that for you. You feel this way. I do too." Empathize with your audience and you will carry them forward with you.

Good luck and let us know how it goes. At the very least you will probably learn a lot, so enjoy the experience and don't get yourself into any trouble.