So you've been nominated for an award, it might be an Academy Award, the whole world could be watching. Or it might be for best coach in your whole little league. Regardless, it's still important to you. These are your friends, your family, people, you respect, perhaps people in your industry, in the audience. And it's still an opportunity to speak to people. So why not make the best of it?

There's nothing worse than someone winning a major award, whether it is an Emmy Award Academy Award, or just a local Kiwanis Club member of the Year Award, sort of getting up fumbling around. Oh, gosh, I never thought I would win. So I didn't prepare anything. Prepare. Do the people who took the trouble of nominating you for this award? A little respect.

Do them justice prepared. If you don't lose, nothing's hurt by you preparing it doesn't really take that long. So remember, it is an opportunity to put a spotlight on ideas you care about the thank the people who helped you win this award, so don't blow it. Don't wait to the last minute. Don't make excuses. Don't be afraid of jinxing yourself, prepare to win the award prepare to give the speech.

And if you don't win, well, maybe we'll use the acceptance speech next year or next time. So that's what we're going to do now to give you practical tips on how you can prepare for your acceptance speech.