The mask used by Michael Myers in the original “Halloween” was actually a Captain Kirk mask, painted white, due to low budget.

Did you know that? I sure didn’t – I was so darn focused on how frightening he was. (Although after reading this fact on an airplane, I couldn’t stop thinking about it.)

This is a great reminder that the audience only gets what you give them.

And what do I mean by that?

That amazing analogy you skipped right over? They’ll never know.

The feature you were supposed to highlight with your laser beam, but the batteries stopped working? They didn’t know you had a laser.

The degree of panic and nervous jitters that swarmed in your stomach? Only if you show them through nervous gestures instead of confident ones. If it helps, try to fake it ‘til you become it.

So don’t walk off that stage and kick yourself for forgetting something, and don’t make a big deal when there is a technical snafu. Proceed as usual, and remember that your confidence will carry you through.