You can’t always be a comedian when you’re speaking. Sometimes that just isn’t your job. And if it isn’t your job, you can’t beat yourself up because you didn’t get that many laughs when you delivered your presentation. You need to know your role and judge your success accordingly.
When you’re preparing for a talk, ask questions to find out more about what the event organizer or client is looking for. They’ve chosen you for a reason, so you want to be sure that you deliver what best suits their current needs. The most powerful question you can ask in preparation for any speaking, training or consulting engagement is “Why?“
When you’re at the front of the room, it’s yours. Keep it by taking these wishy washy phrases out of your talks. Don’t ask the audience for permission to tell them a story—just tell the story!
Sometimes you need to start fresh in order to experience something new. This is that fresh start. I love what I do, but always want more.