Don't Peak Too Soon!

For a young, Jewish man, a Bar Mitzvah is an extremely important occasion. Most people associate the day with the party, but the service (which takes place beforehand) is what I'll personally never forget.

Throughout the whole process, you're under the spotlight. It's unbelievably stressful, especially at such a young age.

I tried my best to remain composed and at first everything was going smoothly. Then came the haftorah, a long drawn out solo that you're supposed to perform in front of an entire temple consisting of your peers, friends and family.

This was it, the big moment. I remember thinking, "Lets just get through this and go party".

Only as I began singing, I realized that because I was so nervous, my pitch had started off WAY too high! I was still right at the beginning, far from the song's peak and already sounded like a freakin' 8 year old girl!

Sure, I can laugh about it now but it wasn't funny at the time. It's difficult to describe JUST how embarrassed I was but I'll try...

Do you know the moment right after you've reached final ascent on a roller coaster?

At this point, you're just looking down, like "Uh oh, this can't be good..." Then your stomach clenches, you begin sweating, and your mind is racing as you picture a million different ways of how you're not only going to end up making the top story on the nightly news but how you'll also be the guy that people refer to as they innocently bring up with their friends, "Hey did you hear that somebody fell out of that thing (the roller coaster) a few years back?"

That's how I felt as I came to this scary, almost paralyzing conclusion.

What ensued next was the ultimate humiliating experience. My voice reached such high notes that in comparison would make Mariah Carey sound like James Earl Jones. I was prepared for glass to shatter at any moment.

My mistake was loud (literally) and clear. I hadn't thought my plan through to completion. I figured that I'd just kind of wing it once the moment arrived.

Anyone with Sprezzatura prepares for these type of moments. They've played out exactly what's gonna go down in their mind from start to finish. Then when game time comes around it seems like a piece of cake.

Don't be the guy that peaks too soon...