I just found out that I have to give a presentation at work in a few weeks. Peers & big wigs, a room full of people I respect and who think I am reasonably intelligent and articulate. I would like very much not to disabuse them of that image. But I have a history of failing at stuff like this spectacularly. There is one law school public speaking story I didn't even blog because it was so humiliating -- and shoot, I love blogging about being humiliated. Sure, I've done well with it too... but my confidence is shaken.
Here are my promises to myself:
1. No Power Point. Power Point makes presentations interminable. Power Point is the devil.
2. No hands shaking, voice quaking nervousness. This is not a big deal.
3. No crying. I mean it.
4. Keep it in the time limit.
Everything after that is cream cheese.
I actually think that Powerpoint can be great, but the trick is to use pictures only, and almost no text. Depending on the topic though, finding photos can be hard.
ReplyDeletePhotos or not, good luck!
Good luck! I've never had problems with public speaking because I get an adrenaline kick out of it, but I notice that when I'm excited it's the same as nervous, and I talk way too fast.
ReplyDeleteI hate Powerpoint presentations. They are good if you need a nap.
I'm a public speaking coach (and also read your blog from time to time, used to be a lawyer).
ReplyDeleteWhat can help many people is switching mindset - rather than thinking "what will they think of me?" to think "how can I serve and help them"
If you focus on the audience - what will they want to know, what do they need, what will help them understand and benefit from what you have to say, you take the focus from you and onto them.
Oh, and I second that.
ReplyDeletePowerpoint is the last thing you want to do when you've prepared - start with the audience's needs, work out what you want them to know, write your presentation, then work out how Powerpoint can help.