I know, you don't want to memorize your DI. Sure, there's a tournament next week and you feel like this piece would be really successful if you put some effort into it, but there's an entire internet awaiting you.
Two hours later, you've checked your Facebook and email for the three-hundredth time and Pinned eighty-two new pictures of Doctor Who fanart. You get that annoying feeling you ought to write that brief of Successful ButHumble's case. Because that brief may be the difference between a 3-3 and a 4-2. However, Successful ButHumble probably won't hit you because fate loves you, of course, and they'd beat you anyway so there's no point. Besides, there's Super Smash Bros. to be played.
And food to eat.
And friends to text.
And a ceiling to stare at.
Anything, dear God, anything but working on speech and debate.
All of a sudden you're thinking of the two-hundred extemp articles you need and you need a whole new MHI binder and that gut-wrenching sweat that takes over when you're in-round and you can't remember half your interps is chasing you like a ghost. Not to mention the briefs, and you need to fix your cases, and what were you even thinking signing up for another event?
This is the best advice I've ever received ever on the matter:
"You get out of something what you put into it." -Someone, at some point in my debate career.
Here's the cold hard truth,
Be ready to receive last place and watch your friends celebrate wins. Be ready to be a nervous, embarrassing wreck when you can't remember most of your speech. Be ready to not know any of the Extemp topics and possibly none of the Mars Hill topics, either.
You are going to reap what you sow.
I'm sorry, I know I'm mean. I've been in that position, all of those positions, too many times myself. I've learned some tough lessons that I just don't want anyone else to have to go through.
Let's face it, we can't stand listening to that person who never practices and just doesn't care about even showing up to club half the time complain and mope about not winning. Let's try not to be that person.
Get excited. Visualize the accomplishment you feel after giving your very best speech ever. Look over any previous accomplishments and even ballots and get yourself psyched. Watch someone else's speech on YouTube. Text a friend and ask them to research with you (and only research).
Being at peace after getting everything done is one of the greatest satisfactions, and it will increase the pleasure of anticipating and participating a tournie. Don't deny yourself that.
Now I sound like a real geek, but it's the truth.
If you ever need encouragement, advice, or a good beating-over-the-head, shoot me an email or comment.
~Kylie~
