Preparation for Presentation Tips
You were prepared for this meeting’s presentation. You know you were. So, what went wrong? It seemed to go off the rails right at the start.
Presentations in all their forms demand focused and mindful attention before and after. Such focus builds a strong presentation, and more importantly, it takes care of you, the message/information, and your audience. All this is essential.
Let’s look at other frustrations you may have experienced while delivering a presentation:
- You lost your nerve partway in. Was it because of what (insert name) said?
- Did you under-deliver or over-prepare?
Whatever it was, you didn’t seem to be present and able to respond in the moment.
Flexibility demands significant preparation, and this is often counterintuitive. There is a common thought that if you go into a presentation and just wing it, you’re more responsive in the moment, not locked into what you prepared.
There’s enough of an element of truth to this line of thought that people keep trying it. The truth is that poor or incomplete preparation can hold people to a stricter guideline because they’re nervous about going beyond or outside of what they prepared. This focus on what they should say distracts them, keeping them in their heads instead of listening in the moment.
Focus on Mindset
Today, we’re addressing one element of preparing for a presentation that’s often overlooked or skipped: Mindset. It’s more important to focus on your mindset before a presentation than to memorize one more fact or squeeze in more detail.
Taking time for yourself to breathe and to get a clear mind seems simple and, therefore, often it’s the first thing tossed out in the corporate rush to get the presentation done. You need the time before the presentation just like a golfer warms up their swing before playing.
You can’t be present when you don’t pause to establish your mindset. Not being present affects your listening and ability to respond effectively and efficiently. You get caught up in the details of what you planned instead of remaining present in the room. Multiple non-verbal and verbal clues get missed from the people in the presentation with you.
I worked with a team that often presented and pitched in threesomes. They were skillful enough that their meetings went well – at first. As they moved forward, they realized that they were losing contracts. They were utterly defeated and frustrated at themselves for losing contracts they used to nail.
With a few quick questions, I uncovered that their workload had increased. To keep up, they had ignored their preparation time with each other. They showed up for the presentation with their potential client, not having connected or spoken with each other before the meeting.
They posited, “But we’re doing what we’ve done well so many times.” “And I totally trust these guys!”
Yes, those are two key components: 1. they know their offer and their message, and 2. there’s trust between them. But, the main thing that had shifted, due to time constraints, was the bit of time to set their collective mindset and get their heads in the game.
Time for Self-Awareness
A few years ago, I had the opportunity to train with a fantastic casting director in NYC. She reminded us that we needed to think of our auditions from 60 minutes before entering the room until 30-60 minutes later. We had to keep a detailed journal of our actions, interactions, and feelings before, during, and after.
We noticed patterns of behavior.
- What did we do that set us up for success?
- What did we do that undermined our success?
- What interactions did we seek or avoid?
- What food, thoughts, or prep took our focus?
It showed us how many factors impacted how we handled the nerves and performed in that often quick 10-minute audition. I’ve carried that forward as a teacher and as a performer myself.
Now, working in the corporate and business world, I focus on the workshop, program, or speech starting well in advance of the start time on the agenda.
So, what can you do for more effective preparation that leads to better performance?
Take time to connect – with yourself if you’re presenting solo or with your fellow presenters if presenting together.
This increased awareness and focused inward time is essential to consistent, excellent performance.
Let’s jump back to the trio mentioned above. We talked about the importance of setting a mindset and how they could make this happen. Given their tight scheduling, they felt that they could meet for 3 minutes before their presentation – that’s all the time they had. So, they capitalized on those minutes to see each other, review roles, and align as a working unit.
They immediately reported back to me that they felt back on their game. The trio was amazed and thrilled to realize how easy it was to up their connection and performance by taking those three minutes to create their collective mindset.
Here is another example. I also experienced a virtual event where participants were placed in a room together while waiting their time to pitch an idea. While in the waiting room, well-intentioned but misguided advice was shared. Suggestions were offered about how to streamline their decks for the pitch. Folks were speaking to each other and getting nervous about their presentations rather than focusing on how they wanted to enter the pitch room – trusting the work they had done – and breathing before their presentations.
Whether virtual or in-person, you have a choice to prepare your mindset and be ready to show up as your best self.
The Sacred Half Hour
The ARTiculateRC coaches all come from the performing arts world, and it’s similar to the world of athletics.
We have learned centering principles: Take time to get your head in the game. Take time to focus, visualize the outcome, breathe and be present with yourself.
In theatre, it’s known as the Sacred Half Hour.
“Half an hour to curtain” is the time for actors to be in their head and body space. No notes are given; no interference to their routine and prep occurs. Many actors put on headphones and disappear into their world. We also see this with athletes on the world stage. They have their headphones on, speaking to no one before their big event.
Meetings, pitches, and presentations are equally important in your professional world.
Take the time to prepare and wrap your head around it; honor your mindset.
- Use headphones and listen to whatever’s best for you to stay focused.
- Take stock of how your nerves show up so you can notice them, make friends with them, and honor them.
- Schedule self-centering time before an event and don’t give it away – even if it’s 3 minutes!
- Acknowledge that you and your message are worth the focus.
- Take a moment to be in touch with your breath. Start with an exhale to get your body reset for maximum oxygen flow and for being grounded.
What happens after the presentation?
Let’s take a moment to talk about afterward- an essential focus on awareness. After your presentation, take a bit of time to be kind to yourself and decompress, and even a quick moment is helpful.
Think through what worked.
Take stock of how you’re feeling.
Give yourself the things you need to feel complete and grounded – water, food, run to the restroom, take a moment alone, etc.
Be careful not to go right into what went wrong. That language in your head can be self-defeating. Think, instead, of all the things that went well.
Mindset is a foundational element to excellent communication and authentic connection.
Communicating ARTfully reminds us to do what performers and athletes do: they prioritize the importance of taking the time to set their mindset before an event.
It changes the outcome.
It creates a deeper connection with the audience.
It opens the door for better listening and more flexibility in the moment, thus, leading to more business and stronger relationships.
The ARTiculate Team is ready to support you in your presentation preparation. Check out our Corporate Programs or Individual Coaching Packages.
Hilary Blair is a leadership keynote speaker based out of Denver, CO, and is the co-founder of ARTiculate: Real & Clear. She is also a highly regarded, actor, improviser, facilitator, voice-over artist, and voice expert coach. Contact us today to learn more.
