My Freemasonry | Freemason Information and Discussion Forum

Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Nervous???

Randy Allen Thomas

Registered User
As all worthy brothers have done.... This week I am planning on turning in the first part of my EA work. I am excited and nervous at the same time. How does one get over the butterflies in your stomach??? What was some things you my fellow brothers have done to be more relaxed when turning in your work??? I'm sure ill be fine. Thats what everyone says, and really its no big deal I'm use to speaking in front of people. I guess im just so excited to finally move forward in my work. Any suggestions??? Thanks.
 

cemab4y

Premium Member
Most men, just focus on the examiner/questioner, and forget about the audience. If you can imagine you are talking to only one man, you will lose the stage fright.
 

JohnnyFlotsam

Premium Member
As all worthy brothers have done.... This week I am planning on turning in the first part of my EA work. I am excited and nervous at the same time. How does one get over the butterflies in your stomach??? What was some things you my fellow brothers have done to be more relaxed when turning in your work???

This may sound counter-intuitive, but make eye contact with the Brethren seated in the Lodge. You don't have to twist around to look at every one, but don't just stare at the floor, ceiling, or wall. You are, in a way, giving a gift to those men. They invited you into their Lodge with the hope that you would take up your tools and make them proud as you advance your proficiency with them. Watch for the smiles when you nail the answers. They are pulling for you, and nothing pleases them more than when you succeed.
 

QPZIL

Premium Member
Before I gave my EA work, my coach came up to me and said, "I don't want to make you nervous or anything, but so far nobody in the 80 years of our lodge has gotten a word wrong."

Haha, that helped :S
 

Dave in Waco

Premium Member
The best advise I can give you is don't think. You know the answers, just let them fall out. Your Examiner will most likely be the person who's been teaching you the work. So answering his questions is almost like a reaction now, kind of like muscle memory, but with your mind.

So listen to your Examiner, and just answer his questions like you do in practice. Don't pay attention to the brethren on the sidelines. Speak clearly and with authority. If you have a mistake, don't dwell on it, just keep going. You and your instructor have a rythem, just let it flow.
 

Randy Allen Thomas

Registered User
Thanks for the advice... I had the chance to review with my teacher this mourning and he told me to go ahead and turn my work in tonight. We had plans for me to turn it later in the week but his work schedule got changed, and now he won't be able to examen me. So a good friend of mine will fill in for him. I feel good about turning it in and I'm as ready as I'll ever be. Thanks again...
 

Bro. Stewart P.M.

Lead Moderator Emeritus
Staff Member
I'll share the same advice given to me that I continue to use today when I am conferring a degree. Focus on the person to whom you are talking to. In your case, your instructor / examiner.

You will soon develop a "tunnel vision" effect and the sidelines WILL disappear.

Oh, and above all else remember that YOU are not the only one to walk these steps. Each and every one of us has been exactly where you are and have felt (admitted or not) as you do now. Break a Leg Kid!!
 

jdmaynor

Registered User
For me it was actually good to not look at the audience, all it takes is looking at one Brother who is mouthing the words along with you, but slightly ahead or behind to throw everything off, hahaha. I just focused on my examiner and let the words flow.
 

Randy Allen Thomas

Registered User
Well it is done... And I was great!!! All the elders and other brothers in the lodge were very impressed gave me many kind words of praise on how well I did tonight. It was a really neat experience and im excited to continue my work. I hope to be turning in my 2nd and 3rd parts with in the next month or so. I will keep everyone posted on how that goes. Thanks again for all the support!!! Take care and god bless...
Randy
 

Casey

Mandalorian
Premium Member
Congratulations! The hardest part of the esoteric work is past for you, the fun is just beginning, and keep that fire in your belly to continue on and do more for yourself and your fraternity.
 

jwhoff

Premium Member
One more thing brother. Don't forget to stop every once in a while to breath. Sounds simple but it is both necessary and soothing. Too, it doesn't hurt to cup your fingers and turn your hands upward. Try it now, you'll feel the tention leaving your body.

Relax, soon you will be working the line and filling positions in degrees. Truly, you will fly like an eagle once you leave that perch of modesty.
 

Hippie19950

Premium Member
Congratulations Brother Randy. You still have some road to travel, but remember, you are not traveling alone, nor are you traveling an untraveled road. Each one of us have gone the same way before you :)
 

Bill Lins

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
You wouldn't believe how nervous I was when I turned in my EA work- my examiner started cracking jokes under his breath to try to loosen me up! Thanks to him, I survived it! (Bless you, Bro. Jim!)
 
Top