ALL ABOUT ME - IDEAS FOR A 5 MINUTE PRESENTATION

In elementary school, do you remember being asked to fill out "all about me" worksheets or to create a poster at the beginning of the school year? 

Well, I'm a grown-up and I along with nine colleagues were recently asked to present a five minute personal history.  Luckily, we didn't have to fill out a worksheet or make a poster.  We were given free reign to develop our own approach and every single person presented their five minute histories in a unique way.  Here are the different ideas:

1. Pick a hobby or something you have done all your life and tell how you have pursued it throughout your lifetime.  Are there props you can use/bring?

2.   Write an outline of significant "seasons" of your life on a giant note pad.   Use a stick or pointer to help audience members follow along.  Be comedic or over the top - if you feel like it.

3.  If you journal, pick 4-6 important excerpts.   Create a skit.  Pretend you are your child, and you find your mom or dad's journal.  Thumb through it and read the chosen entries.

4.  Paint a picture of an animal, object, or place that represents you.  Tell why you chose this animal, object, or place.  Paint the item different colors - colors that symbolize different traits of your personality or events in your life.  Explain how the colors relate to you.

5.   Choose a recipe to make.  Think about using every ingredient to describe different parts of your personality, significant people, or times in your life.

6.   Create a slide show.

7.   If you have home movies or have made fictional or documentary movies/short films, select excerpts and edit them into a five minute representation of your life or as a brief look into your film style.

8.   Tell about a funny incident that happened to you or explain your career and the path you took to get your job.  Have audience members write down the number of their street address.  At the end, draw a number and give a "job" or "event" related item away.   For example:  If you are an accountant, give away a calculator.  If you are an author, give away a copy of your book etc.

9.  Describe a life challenge and how you have persevered.

10.  Perform something.  For example, you may have you just learned to play a new song on the piano?  Tell why you chose to learn this song and play it.  

What are your ideas for a five minute look into your personal life or history?