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Point, Click & Wow! -- Chapter 6: Rehearse, Rehearse, Rehearse
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Practice to Get Better When Not Presenting
What has happened to practice? People attend presentation seminars and learn about some of their presenting issues. For example, they say, "I say 'um' too much," "I speak too fast," and "I get so nervous feeling everyone's eyes on me." The question for them is, "What are you doing on a daily basis to change that?"
Any presentation seminar is a jump-start to changing your behavior, but you have to work on change every day. You can't say "um" all day, speak too fast most of the time, or be uncomfortable speaking in a meeting—and expect those habits and feelings to disappear in front of a group. If only it were that easy. Instead, you need to practice every day.
For example, Terry is a high-energy personality, a little on the nervous side. She tends to get more like that when presenting. Her behavior won't magically change in front of a group. If anything, it will intensify if she doesn't know how to control it. So what does she do every day in order to be more prepared when she's presenting? First, she doesn't eat sugar -- she has energy enough without it. Second, she meditates to calm her nervous system. And third, she exercises. Gradually, over time, she has become calmer and calmer in front of a group. That didn't happen because of a two-day seminar. The seminars and workshops she attended pointed out issues, but she had to practice every day. Here are some recommended strategies for certain types of problems:
"I say 'um' all the time." Force yourself to organize your voice-mail message before you say anything on it. Listen to your messages and make yourself a deal that none of them will have "um" in them.
"I get nervous when people look at me." Take your time in a crosswalk when a car is waiting for you to cross. Dress up and walk down a busy street where people will look at you. You'll begin to see that nothing bad happens just because people are looking at you.
"I'm scared to be or act stupid." Go into a store and ask dumb questions. Notice that no matter how stupid you sound, the world doesn't cave in.
"I'm so rushed all the time." Make yourself do one task at a time for an hour. For one hour speak more slowly, end your sentences, and pause for a moment.
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These are all ideas you can use on a daily or weekly basis. Believe us, you will notice a tremendous difference in your next presentation once you begin to practice, on a daily basis, the skills you need to be a successful presenter.
Let's say you have done everything we suggest. You are totally prepared, and still something goes wrong. "What could go wrong?" you ask. The electricity in the hotel goes off. The company has a fire drill. Someone walks by and spills coffee all over your laptop. No matter what occurs, have a sense of humor. Get your audience to laugh with you. No one who laughs becomes or stays upset. Laughter gets everyone on your side. You can also remind yourself that whatever you're experiencing will make a great story in a few days. May you enjoy your fun, sophisticated presentations!
One Last Word
In the final analysis of a presentation's content and the presenter's style, what people appreciate the most is the presenter's authenticity. How much was the presenter actually in the room "being there" with the group? How much attention did the audience members feel the presenter actually paid to them? Some professional presenters break many of the rules we have suggested. They get away with it because they come across as passionate, full of energy, and totally engaged in their subject. Find ways to bring the best of you out when you speak. Some suggestions are listed below.
Know yourself versus your act. You must know the difference between being "you" and just doing your "act" -- "Joe the jokester" or "Mary the nice person." When you stop long enough to reflect, you'll begin to understand the difference. With some politicians it is easy to see. When asked a question, they don't answer it. Instead, they do "Act Number 20 on Education."
Source: Wilder Presentations and Jossey-Bass Publishing
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