Fruit of the Loom Shop

I’ll bet this one’s been around longer than Fruit of the Loom™. It’s unlikely you haven’t heard it before. The sage advice of music teachers and speaking coaches everywhere:

“Just look out and imagine that everyone in the audience is sitting in their underwear.” If you stop and think about it, there’s so much wisdom in that tip, it’s not surprising that it’s been around for so long. Its effectiveness is easy to understand: Use your imagination to put the audience at a greater disadvantage than you. It’s brilliant, really. So, even if you’ve been around the public speaking “block” for years, don’t be too quick to laugh this one aside or feel that it’s somehow beneath your consideration; that it’s only for the young to enjoy. If something works, it works.

The next chance you get, rev up that old imagination of yours and conjure up as vivid a picture in your mind as you can. Zoom in on a few unsuspecting audience members. Picture that underwear they’re wearing.

• What style is it? Boxer, brief, bikini?
• How about the color? Is it a print or solid?
• What brand is it?
• What material is it made of?
• Is it new or well-worn?
• Starched, holey, kinda sexy? Inside-out?
• Sagging waistband?
• Clean or … otherwise?

Come on – picture it. It’s legal. And it works.Notice how you haven’t been thinking much about your stage-fright these past few minutes? Ogle some more. Enjoy a snicker or two. Get yourself nice and loose. Just don’t indulge while you’re in the middle of a complex essay, lose your place, and then start blaming me for it.

Fantasize responsibly and safely.

Of course, maybe you have relied on this gem many times over the years. Maybe it has grown stale and ineffective from overuse. If that’s the case, you could always try to add a little creative zing to it. Maybe this underwear sporting audience is suddenly made aware of their “deprivation.” Wouldn’t that ratchet up the comedy a bit? Or perhaps they’re on the dais in their undies and you’re in the audience having a good ol’ time. If you’re a mature adult, picture them stark blooming naked if you want to. If it works, it works.

Now don’t start feeling all guilty right in the middle of things. It’s legal. As for ethical, well, I suppose the jury is still out on that one. In the meantime, the technique is yours to do with as you choose. Remember, too, that it’s been around since knickers, so I’d say it’s pretty safe territory. And you would be joining a vast community of speakers, performers, and entertainers who have come before you.

But, remember: Don’t get so caught up in your own daydream that your attention becomes compromised in any way, shape, of form. Just a brief moment or two when you’re setting up and a quick peek when you have a chance should be more than enough to loosen up by.

Anything more and your boss, sponsor, or speaking partners may see to it that you are sent home with your Jockeys™ on your head!

Stan Munslow, “The Can-Do Guru,” is a published author and educator living in Coventry, RI USA who helps people from all fields increase their success by giving better, more relaxed talks and presentations. His newest ebook: “Poise, Power & Pizazz” presents 50 powerful, highly-innovative strategies to help you stay loose, own the stage, and wow the crowd like magic. Click here to learn more: http://www.candotalks.com