Hi, David - great story and great message:)

Your experience was valuable, the more so because it was and still is rather unusual.  Most people of ANY age do not have these opportunities, unless they intentionally seek them out and remain open to possibilities.

I smiled when I saw that familiar Tell Em Times Three mantra, since I was also taught this at any early age and continue to use it.   Your comment " ... being as creative as I can be so that people are not obviously aware that this is the pattern of my presentations" caught my attention because this is something that folks do not always do well.

Many times, I have seen both verbal and written examples of a mechanical application of this principle, often accompanied by the annoying (to me) phrases "I am going to ..."  or  "I have ...", just to make absolutely sure that their intent is obvious.  The more this structure can be cleverly disguised, the more engaging the message will be.

A little creativity goes a long way toward making a speech, presentation, or lesson less plodding or tedious and more energetic.  You have given us a great reminder of this simple, but challenging truth.

John