Presentation Practice Techniques for Procrastinators
How to practice your speech or presentation when you know you need to, but you’re not motivated.
We’ve all been there, whether it was in high school, after high school, or at work:
You know you need to work on something, but you just don’t get there.
A bit ago I wrote an article about the benefit of practicing your speeches or presentations (or stand up comedy routines.)
Soon after, I heard from a client who asked, “What if you know you need to practice but you just can't get into it and you don't want to practice, so you have trouble getting motivated?”
Excellent question. (Thanks, Angela!)
I have a couple of suggestions.
My Top Tips to Rehearse Your Presentation (When You Don’t Want To.)
Give yourself a super low-stakes task.
I invite you to practice for just 5 minutes, or tell yourself, “I’ll just practice this one slide.” Giving yourself something low stakes will work because it's low-level commitment.
What you'll probably find is that you start with 5 minutes and then pretty soon you're off and running and you're going for more than 5 minutes.Ask someone to observe you or practice with you.
When we have somebody who's relying on us, or if you make an appointment with a friend or colleague to run your presentation, you’re committed.
Schedule a time to meet in a conference room or Zoom room. That way, you’ll know the other person is waiting for you. This can be a short time commitment - maybe run your presentation for 15 minutes. (My power hour clients often book an hour with me, because they need practice and accountability.)Record yourself.
Block out time on your calendar, go into a Zoom room solo, hit “record,” and deliver your speech. And make sure to watch that recording! I know nobody likes to see themselves back on video. It's a little touchy, but when you record, you’ll see you’re more committed to the process of practicing.
Hey there! Do you need an hour of practice? Hit me up!
You can directly book an hour of time with me here. We can discuss your presentation, work on improving your deck, or practice for an hour!
What to read or hear next:
My talk with Randy Ford on “How to Write a Better Bio”
Is it okay to drink before I give a toast? 2-minute Voice Memos
For Women Only: Three Speaking Tips
About The Author
Hi! I’m Marianna. I can help you rock your next presentation. And yes, I’ll give you LOTS of practice and feedback. I have coaching on demand available!
I make public speaking easier (and fun!) for my clients. In addition to Presentation Skills workshops, I offer executive coaching and Keynote speeches. To learn more, schedule a call with me.