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Finally, the area contest is over. I didn't place, but I (re) learned some important lessons that any contestant (or speaker for that matter) needs to keep in mind.

I've been going on about the area contest for a while (maybe not here, but it's been a priority for me), and here's an update. I'd been to area before, this time around, even with the increased head count (there were at least 30 people), I didn't feel as nervous.

Anyhow, I didn't place. Let's review why:

1. I went over time. This is an instant disqualification, no matter how good your stuff is. I added enough new material trying to improve the transition between my story and my point that the draft spiked up to a little over a 1,000 words (this count should be around 750-800). However, I thought I'd get away with this, since when I was at 800 words, I finished at around six minutes (you have a 5-7 minute range, with a 30 second grace period either way). When the red flag showed, I knew I was in trouble, because I had two or three paragraphs left. I tried to rush, and it was rather noticeable. Didn't help in the end though.
2. I didn't feel 100% comfortable with the speech. While performing it, I felt really great. Many people there told me it was my strongest speech ever. But after looking back at it on video -- this didn't feel to be the case. My biggest fear in a speech is that I don't have it down pat -- but then I don't go and do the work to have it down that way. When I got to area last time, I practiced my speech everyday in the car at least twice. For whatever reason, I couldn't get myself to seriously practice this one until the night before, and it showed (or at least to me it did). I also didn't take the speech to other clubs and practice like I should have.
3. Some of my movement was good -- but the latter half I think I wandered too much. Again, another bad habit.
4. Eye contact still needs work. This would increase with practice, but I have yet to be able to consistently pick a person, lock into them for a sentence, switch sides, and repeat

I know all of this makes it sound horrible, but it really was good overall; I delivered a strong speech, and really think I could've won if I didn't go over time. Here's some strong points I thought I had:

1. The content and message was really good and easy to relate to -- everyone has glasses.
2. There was a solid plan of action suggested.
3. I poured a ton of energy into it. I really felt great about the performance.
4. I got the most laughs of any speech that day.

One other nice thing is that, through all its revisions, I've received three credits from this speech. I'm only a couple speeches away from my second CC now.

If you're thinking about competing, do it. It will sharpen your skills, if you have any desire to win whatsoever.