Video Preview: Five Minutes to D&D Pep Talk

Thinking of my big sources of anxiety: 1) Worry: I don't have enough content. Answer: The party never get as far as you think and if they do, just make something up. (e.g: Orcs attack!) 2) Worry: The content I have isn't 'good' enough. Answer: Let the players lead and run with their ideas that enhance the story. Rule of cool + theatre of the mind. 3) Worry: I'm not feeling at my performative best. Answer: Let the players do the talking and probe them with questions so everyone says how they character feels. Don't do 'the voice' if you don't feel like it but choose one aspect of the NPC and describe what makes them a unique individual.

Thanks for the pep talk friend!

Mike - Awesome. Thank you. Nailed it for me. And turned around my attitude towards this Thursday's upcoming game.

Fantastic! Really enjoyed this

I'm a recent Patreon of yours for all the great content like this that you provide. Soon I'll be taking on my first try at DMing. There are already 2 campaigns in progress (Dragon Heist -> Mad Mage and Phandelver/Saltmarsh) with this group (different DMs) and I'll be adding Icespire Peak. Another of your videos provided that inspiration (overlapping Phandelver & Icespire) and one of the goals is to have our PCs from the various concurrent games cross paths in-game. Should be a blast!

Mark, when I realized that "feeling" was anxiety and stage fright, I was able to name the feeling and remind myself that after the game I'm going to feel great and the game is going to be fun. You aren't alone! Courage!

This is genuinely very inspiring Mike, it helps calm my nerves before my game, thank you

Thanks for sharing this sentiment. I definitely get that “feeling” in my stomach prior to a session. This is a great prep pep talk reminder!