The presentation landscape
Last week I wrote about the problem with the way we practice public speaking, which elicited a response and some questions from my friend Erin.
She was explaining that after practicing her keynote a bunch, "I’m finding myself up on stage, and realising I’m trying to 'get the lines out' instead of being present."
Here's an excerpt from my reply:
________
Try thinking about your presentation as a landscape. Each of your main points is a peak in the landscape. Your presentation is a journey, from peak to peak to peak.
Your preparation is to create a map of the place, and know what peaks you want to take everyone to.
You don't need to plan every step, or even the exact path you'll take from peak to peak. You might even visit the peaks in a different order sometimes. You can trust yourself to navigate the valleys, and cross the rivers, and pick your way up the hillsides, without planning it all out in intricate detail, because you've been walking and hiking your whole life. There's no value in planning the minutiae.
Similarly, you've been talking constantly since you were two years old. You don't have to practice stringing a few words together. You're definitely capable of doing that. You never rehearse ordering coffee, because you know how to talk. It's just talking!
Presenting is the same. Make a map of the area you want to explore, and know the peaks you want to visit. (Unpacking the metaphor a little, this might mean you want to practice the actual phrasing of the specific point you make when you reach the peak of an idea). From that point on, though, give yourself the freedom to explore in a way that feels good on the day. Maybe it's sunny so you want to wander through the meadow. Maybe it's windy so you want to shelter on the lee-side of the ridge. Maybe it's pouring rain and you want to take the shortest, fastest route.
You've been walking (and talking) your whole life. Let yourself wander. You're not going to get lost.
PS:
Did you know I help some of Australia's best keynote speakers and conference stars to design and prepare their presentations? If you're thinking about growing your business by harnessing the power of speaking from stage, an guidance from an experienced set of eyes and ears can make a huge difference.
Send me an email (col@colfink.com) saying "Col, I'd like some help!" and we'll organise a time to chat.
I've got room in my calendar for two more clients at this stage.