Exercise to WOW a Presentation

If you're like most people, you're expecting to read about an exercise that will help you be more relaxed when you speak in front of a group, or an exercise to structure a talk. Actually, the message is that WOW presenters exercise.

Yes, they get physical exercise on a regular basis, maybe even as often as every day. It doesn't have to be a work-out with a personal trainer, it does have to involve movement for at least 20 minutes, 30 minutes or more is much better.

The relationship between physical exercise and presentation WOW:

1. Regular exercise makes you more energetic. Succeeding at anything takes energy -- so you want to have as much energy as you can.

2. Exercise makes you more creative. Your creativity helps your presentation in all kinds of ways -- making interesting and compelling connections to delight and engage your audience.

3. Exercise keeps you in a better humor. Your good feelings are contagious.

4. Exercise exorcises stress. Stress is just plain bad for you, especially when you're speaking before a group.

5. Your preferred exercise gives you something to talk about and establish connection with new people.

Schedule in your exercise, without being all overbearing about it. Walking at lunch is fine. Skydiving sounds like fun, but awfully complicated. I have information on belly dancing in Greenville, if anyone's game.

How Much Is Really Enough?

One day last week I was updating a close friend about my Presentation Wow Workshop business. After sharing my excitement about this new, non-academic venture, she said, "Well, no matter how much you make, it's never enough."

Let me repeat: no matter how much you make, it's never enough.

That friend had probably said that to me a hundred times over the years, but that was the first time I really heard it. It explained so much about my friend, who can be conservatively called a "high earner," yet she seems to be convinced that she's one small step away from total financial ruin.

And yet there is truth in that affirmation: as soon as you complete one goal, 10 new ones spring up in its place. Part of being human is the permanent desire for creation and growth, only sometimes it looks like insatiable greed.

It's worth reflecting on how to recognize our human tendency to take on new projects one after the other, without accepting the belief that one isn't enough, or never has enough. It takes wisdom to enjoy the status and belongings that one currently possesses, while knowing that it's always possible to work toward making the world a better place.

I doubt that anyone reading this blog is wondering in which dumpster s/he'll find dinner for the family tonight. I don't think any of us are living under a bridge. So, take a look around, see the wealth you already have and enjoy it.

As long as we're on this planet, our lives are unfinished projects. But unfinished doesn't have to mean you're not enough, or you don't have enough.

Are You Ready for the End of Q1?

Hard to believe, winter is behind us and the first quarter almost so. If you pay much attention to the national news, it's been a tough year. But the news only tells part of the story...the part that makes you scared and tuned in, and the part that makes the ratings and thus advertising income go up.

Have you made progress toward your goals for this year?

Have you dreamed up new projects?

Watch out -- the Mixonian Goal Police may be searching for you as your read this. ;-)

The feeling that you're not getting anywhere, that spinning your wheels sensation, is nothing but frustrating, possible depressing. That's why writing things down lends objectivity -- you see that you are making progress, at least on paper, even when it doesn't feel like it.

One of the high points of defending my dissertation was marking it off my goal list. Now I see every day, on my index card and in my journal, a big goal crossed off. That is a postive reminder that despite all evidence to the contrary (in my mind), I really do get stuff done.

Jack Canfield suggests taking 5 action steps every day toward your biggest goal, and then there's no way you can't make it. Well, 5 steps every day seems like a bit much to me. At least for some days. Still he makes a valid point; even if you just take 10 action steps in a week, you'll still make it.

I read in last month's Inc. magazine in an article by Joel Brodsky an interesting point of view from a venture capitalist. He had asked to her prepare a presentation on why new businesses fail. This was her response:

That would be boring. They all fail for the same reason. People just stop working on their business.

Even if your goal is not entreprenuerial exactly, it's the same thing. Keep moving forward, and you'll reach that goal...and set a new one just as quickly.

Dissertation Abstract....In Case You're Interested

ABSTRACT

Given that voters look for signs and symbols to decide which candidate deserves their vote, this dissertation explores three constructs – authorizing figure, authoritarian charisma, and national myth – as tools used gain political power through discourse. These constructs create rhetorical synergy that makes one set of political options appear more viable to a set of others.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez bolsters his credibility through extensive leverage of Simon Bolívar as an authorizing figure. In a similar way, national myths provide structural framework through which Chávez presents the nation’s problems and their solutions, making it easy for the Venezuelan people to accept his leadership.

This works because the framing of the situation and the country’s problems in terms recognizable in the Rich Venezuela, Poor Venezuelans myth and Simón Bolívar the National Liberator myth both resonate with voters. Authoritarian charisma enhances Chávez’ credibility as he effectively links himself to the authorizing figure of Simón Bolívar, while committing random acts of authority.

Two of these constructs, the authorizing figure and national myth, connect a country’s past to its present. The authorizing figure and national myth are then used to routinize a charismatic political leader as elaborated in Michael Toth’s Theory of the Two Charismas.

Chávez uses history to simplify reality for two purposes: to facilitate his access to power, and to legitimize his leadership and the Bolivarian Revolution. It is a question of leveraging the resource of language.

To Really Reach Your Audience

To reach your audience, you must know your audience. Most of all, you want to know how much they know about the concept, project, plan, service, or product you want to talk to them about.

In preparing your presentation, consider these questions in relationship to your audience:

- Do they already have some idea about your topic? Have you met with them before, or have they heard about it from someone else, or other sources?

- Do you suspect they're misinformed about your topic? Are there false assumptions sitting out there in your audience?

- If they are aware of your topic, do they really understand it? Do they get the reasons behind your proposal, or what's different about it, what makes your stuff different from other people's stuff?

- Do they believe what you've told them, or what they've heard from other sources? Are they skeptical? If so, why? Do they believe in the benefits you're suggesting?

- Are they authorized to act? To sign or endorse? To budget for your proposal? Or is this just one step of many?

Knowing your audience allows you to tailor your remarks so that they know you're talking to them, not just spitting out a canned presentation. Much more effective.

Small Changes for Big Presentation Impact

The late actor Cary Grant is to have said something to the effect that it takes 500 details to make a stunning impression. He might have added that one of those details would be selecting tall and good-looking parents. However, even if your parents were not tall, there is no reason why you can't make a WOW presentation. (Even though the research affirms widespread prejudice in favor of tall people!)

You probably think that people are naturally adept public speakers, or they're not. Well, even the most natural public speaker has had to practice 500 details to come across as "natural."

Think about how small things have a big impact:

- Remember the great relief to get a tiny splinter out of your finger.

- How annoying can one mosquito in your bedroom be?

- The discomfort of having on a t-shirt front-side back.

- A tiny movement on the fingerboard makes a note played on a stringed instrument sound beautiful, or not.

- One small operational error at the beginning of a calculus problem has a huge impact on the final result.

The same with making a presentation. There are many details you can so easily master for greater impact on your audience. Just to mention a few:

- Use a highlighter to mark your notes to remember to pause.

- Stand with your feet apart, so they're under your shoulders.

- Make sure you have your objective so clear you can say it in one sentence.

- Make eye contact with one person at a time.

- Remind the audience why you're credible to speak on this topic.

Developing your presentation skills is a life-long journey. It's one your audience travels with you, one segment at a time.

Your Impeccable Speech

Impeccability of the word can lead you to personal freedom, to huge success and abundance; it can take away all fear and transform it into joy and love.
-- Don Miguel Ruiz, Author of The Four Agreements

That's a huge claim Ruiz makes.

The above quote is taken from my favorite chapter of Jack Canfield's book, The Success Principles. It's about how language choices affect our experiences.

Impeccable speech means using words such as affirmations, and any form of encouragement, appreciation, love, acceptance, possibility, and vision.

According to this concept of speaking with impeccability, truly successful people always speak with integrity and choose to express themselves with words that:

- affirm the innate value of oneself and others

- build self confidence

- build positive relationships

- build inspiring dreams

The most fascinating aspect of choosing words is the realization that your words have such a multiplier effect in the world. When you speak to someone, what you express certainly produces an effect in that person, and also in you.

Here is how Canfield suggests that we speak with impeccability:

- Make a commitment to be impeccable in your speech when talking to others.

- Make an effort to appreciate something about every person you interact with.

- Make a commitement to tell the truth, as best you can, in all your interactions and dealings with others. Make a commitment to do it for 1 days, then 2 days in a row, then a whole week. If you falter, start over. Keep building that muscle.

- Make it the intention of every interaction with others that you uplift them in some small way. Notice how you feel when you do that (145).

Keeping these ideals (or "norms" in PhD-speak) is having a positive effect on my teaching. Review these suggestions frequently and see how your interactions get better.