Yesterday I was closing down my studio after a Neuroscience of Performance Anxiety / Rejection Anxiety talk
Just Pause for a moment
when this sign caught the light and my attention. It has been up since my first speeches of the pandemic.
… Back in the day when we were just learning how to give a keynote seeing only the reaction of … us on the screen and not hearing our audiences’ reactions. Remember that?
Any performance anxiety or uncomfortable minute can cause us to fill every moment of silence. But the brain, both ours and the audience’s cannot handle that constant barrage of words. It needs momentary pauses to process and absorb.
During my coaching of presentation skills to professionals, this can be one of the hardest lessons for them to implement. A second can feel like an eternity if you are super-enthusiastic or crazy-nervous.
Try some of these tips, your audience and your brain will thank you:
1. Identify key points in your presentation where a pause would be beneficial. Plan these pauses ahead of time to ensure they are deliberate and impactful.
2. During rehearsals, practice incorporating pauses naturally into your speech. This helps you become comfortable with the silence and ensures it doesn’t feel awkward.
3. If you’re using slides, transition points can be excellent places to pause. Allow your audience a moment to read and absorb the visual information before you continue speaking. Always read the slide slowly in your head so the audience has the time they need.
4. During your pause, stay engaged with your audience. Make eye contact and gauge their reactions. This not only reinforces your connection with them but also gives you feedback on their understanding.
5. Make a sign like mine and put it right in your sightline to remind you to stop and exhale once in a while.
Taking a moment to pause can make the difference enhancing clarity, reinforcing key messages, and helping manage anxiety. By embracing the power of the pause, you can deliver more impactful presentations.
Just Pause for a moment
when this sign caught the light and my attention. It has been up since my first speeches of the pandemic.
… Back in the day when we were just learning how to give a keynote seeing only the reaction of … us on the screen and not hearing our audiences’ reactions. Remember that?
Any performance anxiety or uncomfortable minute can cause us to fill every moment of silence. But the brain, both ours and the audience’s cannot handle that constant barrage of words. It needs momentary pauses to process and absorb.
During my coaching of presentation skills to professionals, this can be one of the hardest lessons for them to implement. A second can feel like an eternity if you are super-enthusiastic or crazy-nervous.
Try some of these tips, your audience and your brain will thank you:
1. Identify key points in your presentation where a pause would be beneficial. Plan these pauses ahead of time to ensure they are deliberate and impactful.
2. During rehearsals, practice incorporating pauses naturally into your speech. This helps you become comfortable with the silence and ensures it doesn’t feel awkward.
3. If you’re using slides, transition points can be excellent places to pause. Allow your audience a moment to read and absorb the visual information before you continue speaking. Always read the slide slowly in your head so the audience has the time they need.
4. During your pause, stay engaged with your audience. Make eye contact and gauge their reactions. This not only reinforces your connection with them but also gives you feedback on their understanding.
5. Make a sign like mine and put it right in your sightline to remind you to stop and exhale once in a while.
Taking a moment to pause can make the difference enhancing clarity, reinforcing key messages, and helping manage anxiety. By embracing the power of the pause, you can deliver more impactful presentations.
Don’t be afraid of the silence.