Presenting is no more difficult than having a conversation. You simply open your mouth and talk- something most of us do every day with ease.
Ask someone for a natter over tea and they rarely break out into a cold sweat the way they might if you asked them to present for a few minutes at the next team meeting.
Why?
It's not physically difficult - it's only as hard as talking.
It is our mind that tricks us into thinking it's difficult.
Our mind plays out disaster scenarios of tumbling over simple words - words we say faultlessly everyday- of embarrassing ourselves, of not knowing what to say.
Our thoughts create uncertainty in our mind - an uncertainty not present in water cooler chats.
Uncertainty breeds nerves and suddenly a simple act of talking becomes the momentus task of presenting.
The nerves tell us it's a big deal and stop us having a simple conversation with just a few more people listening in.
Instead of presenting to crowd, start to think in terms of conversations- with friendly people you like, where a few people (even a few hundred people) just happen to over hear it. Be your normal, charming, funny self.
No over exaggerated stage persona required.
Try it, you never know how the conversation will end.
Tuesday 20 April 2010
Say What You Need to Say
"Nobody cares if you can't present well. Just get up and present. Great presenters are not great because of their technique, they are great because of their passion!" ~after Martha Graham
Martha's quotation was about dancers, but the same thing applies whether its painting, science, yoga, cooking or presenting.
The message is simply to start.
All too often we let our need to be perfect get in the way - we wait until we are sure, or ready, or some such thing that is far away....
Don't expect to be the best presenter in the world straight away - just get in touch with the passion you feel; the words and skills and knowledge you yearn to share with the world, and get out there and share.
Share it because people need to hear it.
Share it because you need to say it.
Share it because someone needs to hear you say it in order to really hear it.
Start NOW: book a room, phone someone and offer to speak for free. Just get out there and share. You might just find you fall in love with it!
Martha's quotation was about dancers, but the same thing applies whether its painting, science, yoga, cooking or presenting.
The message is simply to start.
All too often we let our need to be perfect get in the way - we wait until we are sure, or ready, or some such thing that is far away....
Don't expect to be the best presenter in the world straight away - just get in touch with the passion you feel; the words and skills and knowledge you yearn to share with the world, and get out there and share.
Share it because people need to hear it.
Share it because you need to say it.
Share it because someone needs to hear you say it in order to really hear it.
Start NOW: book a room, phone someone and offer to speak for free. Just get out there and share. You might just find you fall in love with it!
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