Stage Fright? Moi?

We’re working on the agenda and contents of the event that we are putting on at the end of the February at the Ontario Science Centre. People call it a workshop. Or a seminar. I figure it’s kind of an ‘Adult ADHD Play Day’
A ton of really good information in a very lively program.
(We’re opening with a game show, “Are You Smarter Than An ADDer?”)
But I’m finding putting this together is nerve wracking.
Which surprises me. I’ve done plenty of shows before. I can’t figure out why I am feeling nervous about this.
Today I distinguished what was going on.
It’s like this:
I’ve done thousands of shows over the years… Hey, I did 3,000 at the Science Centre when I was a teacher there. But the February 27th event has some… serious implications.
We’re not sharing tips on how to barbecue wieners or “Nine things you should know about hats!”
I know this is going to have a huge impact on many who attend.
We’ve done smaller ‘workshops’ before and people were blown away by how much they got out of it. They arrived full of dread, fear, concerns, angst, questions and uncertainty. And as we got rolling they laughed. They cried. (Seriously). They had big “AHA!” moments.
At some points I felt like Oprah. Without the money.
For the first time in their lives, many people actually took ownership of their ADHD. They were cool with it. Not gleeful or giddy or even grateful. Just willing to go, “Yep. I do that.”
Instead of being this huge weight, the secret they dreaded anyone knowing, they could now see it as simply an extra challenge they have to deal with. They also could see how well they’d already been coping with it. And they could see lots of opportunity to try new tricks and tools to minimize the crappy parts and play up their strengths.
It was about the best thing I’ve ever done onstage.
So I know it’s going to be a valuable workshop.
And that’s what’s scary.
I mean, I’m a comedian. Just a comedian. (Yes, I’m extremely good looking, but still, what does that have to do with anything? Why did you even bring it up?)
I mean, if it was only giving advice on riding a Unicycle, or talking about my fave Sci-Fi films of the 50’s, that would be one thing. But I know from the previous workshops, this will be life changing for many people. (Every time we do this stuff, it’s life changing for me!)
It’s a huge responsibility.
And I’m scared!
If you don’t like a joke I tell in a comedy show, hell, that’s one thing.
What if I say the wrong thing here? I could ruin someone’s life!
Okay, that’s not gonna happen. But you know what I mean. Right?
Last November I was asked to give a talk to a big conference on Mental Health Issues in the workplace. (Insert your own joke here about your office)
And afterwards a fairly senior executive from a big agency came up, and said, “When I saw the keynote speakers was going to be a comedian, I didn’t have very high expectations.” Yikes!
Luckily he went on to say he thought what I said was terrific and he wanted to know how he could help. God help me if he’d just turned and walked away after saying he didn’t have high expectations.
Sometimes I wonder what right I have to be a spokesperson for ADHD. My wife reminds me, I’m not. I’m someone who has it and is willing to talk about it.
So while we know we’re gonna have some major fun at the Science Centre, I also know we’ll be doing something quite profound for many people in the audience. There’s a lot of hurt and anger out there. (I know! Been there! Done that!)
All I can say is I’m glad I’m doing this with Dr. Umesh Jain. He knows a ton about ADHD and human psychology. He’s specialized in it for years and years. He’s brilliant. Bonus– he’s funny.
The way I figure it, if I get in over my head at some point, I’ll just turn to Umesh and say, “Is there a Doctor in the house?”
And then hope he doesn’t make a joke.