iSimplify Presentations
Must Be Perfect!
Good is always better than perfect
No one knows. No one must know. You’re all alone and you’re on your own. Up there on the physical or metaphorical stage, it feels lonely. You’re by yourself. You expect yourself to be perfect (or the closest thing to that). The people watching you or listening to you also expect you to be at no fault. Are you feeling the pressure already? I certainly lost a heartbeat for a second.
It doesn’t have to be this way. Presenting should not feel like a death sentence or as they say, “People fear public speaking more than death”. I am sure you’ve heard this one before too, “It’s all in your head”. There is some truth to that but I am not entirely sure it is 100% true because stress and anxiety are also factors of our environment. Presenting feels like an adversity that we have to face instead of enjoy. Let me show you three simple ways to take care of yourself when you present.
(1) Don’t forget to breathe
In a previous story, I wrote about the power of voice and breathing whenever you present. Your breath doesn’t hold any secrets. By observing the rhythm of your breathing, you’ll immediately be conscious of your own feelings in the moment. Here’s what you need to do: remember to breathe. Nobody ever told me that before, even though it’s so simple and trivial. However, sometimes I would catch myself shallow-breathing and I would remind myself to connect with my breath. Don’t dwell too much. Just breathe.
(2) Be vulnerable
Storytelling is at the heart of presentations. You will share your own story and you will often hear the stories of others. Some people share stories that are much heavier than others. I won’t lie to you, that often leaves me in a bad mental shape. People expect to play the role of the therapist when they present but that is not fair to you or the other people listening to a traumatic story. What do you do in this case? Where do you draw the line? Brené Brown once said, “Vulnerability without boundaries is not vulnerability.” When someone starts dumping the trauma on you, you feel invaded. Rightfully so. What you need to do is this: push the brakes and steer the conversation away from the trauma. Let people know that you appreciate their trust but also emphasize that this is not the right space or context for sharing these stories. How does that sound to you?
(3) Good is better than perfect
If I was given the choice between good and perfect, I would definitely vouch for good. Perfection is an illusion for people who have high expectations and will never be satisfied with the outcome. You don’t need to have all the answers before you’re allowed to be on stage. It’s OK not to have all the answers. Nobody does! That doesn’t mean what you have to share is not valuable. When we value ourselves, we indirectly communicate that our time and experience is worth the time and attention of our audience. You don’t have to always be in control. It’s exhausting. But you have to own who you are on the stage and trust that you have something valuable to share and that you deserve the time you were given by others listening to you. Embrace who you are!
One More Thing!
You’re awesome and you matter. I find that taking the whole process one little piece at a time is usually helpful. Don’t worry about delivering a presentation before you design it. Don’t worry about designing it before writing it. One step at a time, friends.
I hope I inspired you to take care of your mental health before, after and during your presentation.. If you like this story, share it with others. Follow my LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter for more stories.
