4. MORE THAN A year ago, I had the honour of
talking at the organized by the
students of the University of Piraeus.
5. I have spent A LOT OF YEARS in and out
of this University - mostly out of IT,
actually! - so I really wanted to
return and speak at this special
event.
7. The truth is that from every speech
you give, there is ALWAYS something
DIFFERENT for you to gain, something
new to learn even about yourself.
So here’s what I learned from this
9. I accepted the students’ invitation almost immediately, without second thoughts.
What I loved the most was the fact that they were a team of 18-24 years old students,
trying their best to organize such a big event. Their effort did count and made everything
possible. I could see the will and passion in their eyes and THIS WAS WHAT INSPIRED me to
speak and communicate everything they were experiencing, everything we were all
experiencing.
11. At every you hear many stories; some are emotional, others inspiring, but most of
them are mainly about people who fought, struggled and actually made it here, in Greece.
Each one of them had something positive to say about what they HAVE ACCOMPLISHED.
13. So I decided to speak about myself. It is not something I usually do, but it felt right. Make
sure you talk about the things you do, the things you’ ve experienced, the things that
fulfill you and make you keep going. Speak about everything you’ ve learned FROM YOUR life
and make the people around you REALIZE that it's not easy to achieve things, but it doesn’t
mean you can’t actually achieve them! It may be hard, but unless you try, you won't succeed.
15. OK, I’m not 20 anymore (and I haven't been for about 10 years now), but I still have many
things in common with theM. Perhaps it is because we share the same madness and the same
PASSION to do things. So, the TEDx gave me new friends, new ideas and knowledge. I WAS EVEN
ABLE TO UNDERSTAND HOW YOUNGER PEOPLE LOOK AT THINGS.
17. You only have 18 minutes, so you don’t have to say much, just the things that matter, the
things you’ ve thought for a long time and THAT YOU always wanted to share. Now it is your
chance to do it. Do not include too many slides in your presentation and do not, by any
means, use bullet points! Just use the rule 1:7:140.
23. People are there to listen to what you have to say and to be inspired, to get new ideas AND
to move along. Be yourself on stage and, either you’ re planning to make them laugh or get
emotional, remember to really speak to them, to play with them. Create a presentation just
for them, one they have never SEEN before.
25. PREPARE YOURSELF FOR YOUR PRESENTATION AS IF IT WAS A RACE. Study hard, learn it by
heart, so you won't have to look at it. Make eye contact with your audience. What I’m always
saying is that you have to go FOR sleep WHILE thinking OF the presentation. Sleep on it!
27. Everyone gets anxious, INCLUDINGmyself! The first 10 seconds are hard, but only until you
manage to break the ice. Introduce yourself, make people comfortable with what you have to
say, cut to the chase and express things your way. Don’t try to be like SOMEONE else. EACH
ONE has HIS/HER OWN unique style while making a presentation.