I get really antsy before I speak. It’s not nerves … or maybe I don’t want to admit it is.

I think it’s mounting excitement, anticipation on my part, eagerness.

Find Your Focus

I pace. I go over and over the first few words I want to come out of my mouth once I am handed the mic or turn on the switch for people to here.

I don’t use my visuals as prompts to tell me what to talk about next. Rather, if I am really well prepared my visuals are pure supplements. I have been known to give talks, use my remote clicker to change positions within my presentation and never turn around to make sure I was showing the right spot. I KNEW I was.

I was not only focused on delivering on my content the very best I could, I was spot on in the timing as well.

Focus + Practice Works

Only focus and practice can get you to this point.

Related: Be a More Creative Speaker

I ‘blew’ it not long ago. I was speaking at a very large internet company here in the Bay Area. The first thing to come out of my mouth had nothing to do with my topic. I realized what I did was not effective. And I had to dig myself out. I simply lost my focus.

It an attempt to be clever, funny, to make an impression, I abandoned my topic at a critical moment – the first impression moment. And I had to pay for it in the talk.

Do what it takes to get focused on your talk, your crowd, your venue, your reason for being there in the first place. You’ll be glad you did.

Let us get you on board the first time.

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