For the past five years, I've been having a recurring nightmare. The details vary, but the setting and the horror are always the same - clearly rooted in my biggest presentation fear.
Take last night for example...
I'm running a workshop in a room with about 15 people. One by one, participants walk up to the front to deliver their 5-minute presentation. No biggie, I do this all the time.
But as my dream unfolds, I feel eerily unsettled.
I realise that I haven't got my tools, my material. The room is in disarray, I forgot to tidy and arrange it. I can't even remember what I'm supposed to say.
I feel lost, embarrassed, and completely stressed out.
The chaos continues as I notice people all over the place - chatting, laughing, on their phones. They all ignore the lone presenter who struggles to talk over them.
Usually in these dreams, that lone presenter is me. Often searching for my slides, stumbling over my words, and still wearing my sweatpants!
Every single time, I am COMPLETELY UNPREPARED. And that, right there, is my biggest fear.
Why? Because I know all too well how critical it is to BE prepared.
To plan and practice...
Arrive early, set up, test everything...
Change out of my sweats...
and to always, always have a back up.
All this to say: Take the time to be prepared.
Because sometimes it's the little things that can bring you down.
Also because the extra prep adds polish and power to your talk.
Personally, I am extremely cautious and regimented in my preparation - and it has always paid off. I need to make sure that this dream does NOT come true!
For help with your prep, check out my "Game-time checklist" for virtual presentations.
You'll also get access to mini video-tutorials, a behind-the-scenes look at my setup, and some bonus tips.
You can download it here for free.
Comments