Redbird Coaching

Posts Tagged ‘balance’

Instant Confidence Boost

Focusing on what’s going on around you rather than what’s happening in your head is a powerful way to change your mindset, and one I highly recommend.
The whole looking outward topic came up at a Power Presentations workshop I was running; it was fascinating to see what a difference focusing inwards or outwards made to the participants.
When they were doing their own presentation – and focusing inwards – they were much more nervous than when, minutes later, they had to give an evaluation of someone else’s presentation because, clearly, they were focusing on something outside themselves. They looked and sounded 100% more relaxed and comfortable when they were evaluating and not just to my practised eye  –  everyone noticed the difference.
It was a valuable lesson in how your mindset has a profound effect on the way you act: my group went away promising to practise their presentations while focusing on their audience rather than on their own performance.

The Four Ps of Presentations

1. PREPARE: do your homework on both yourself and your topic
2. PLAN: start with the end in mind. Visualise yourself and your audience having a great time
3. PRODUCE: your speech in its entirety and then as “prompts”
4. PRACTISE: practise, practise and then practise some more

Are you a glossophobe? That is, are you terrified of making presentations? 
A two-hour rehearsal and coaching session with redbird Hazel Walker is just £150. Call 07986-982-695 or email hazel@redbirdcoaching.co.uk

Meanwhile, try these presentation tips:

Before:
Practise. Lots
Know what you’re talking about. Obvious, but you’d be surprised!
Find out about your audience and present accordingly.
Check the resources available. Then double check.
Do whatever you need to do to address your nerves. Find the best solution for you.
Breathe deeply
Try greeting people as they arrive – it helps to be inclusive
Believe your audience wants you to do well: you do badly, they’re uncomfortable.
Be early. Not just punctual – early.

During:
Smile
Always have more material than you think you need.
You know your subject, yes, but check that you know it from the attendees’ viewpoint – how do they need to use the information you’re giving?
Think in 15-minute chunks of time: change pace, ask a question, provide an exercise, use a visual aid, do something different every 15 minutes if you want to keep the audience’s attention.
Use “props” like the whiteboard, flipchart, glass of water, to encourage you to move around.
Most mistakes won’t be noticed; don’t make a meal of them. Apologise if necessary then move on.
NEVER read out your Powerpoint slides. Unless you’re presenting to little children who can’t read.

After:
Always ask for evaluations. And act on them
Do your own review. Change anything that felt less than great.
Think about joining a Toastmasters group to put your presentation style into the superstar league.

Are you a glossophobe? That is, are you terrified of making presentations? 
A two-hour rehearsal and coaching session with redbird Hazel Walker is just £150. Call 07986-982-695 or email hazel@redbirdcoaching.co.uk