How top performers start their presentation
Nov 23, 2024
Everybody is looking to be seen and valued by Senior Executives. But when the time comes, why do most people fail to impress?
Imagine you are about to give a presentation to the Board.
You are in front of people who can decide your future and progression. In the heat of the moment, you start the first slide, but forget to tell what they will get out of the presentation and why they should listen. The leaders around the table look a bit confused.
You realise, apologise and start again.
The later parts of your presentation go well, you slowly feel less and less anxious.
Sounds familiar?
It's natural to have anxiety because you care about the presentation and you want to do your best.
Two things matter the most: how you start and how you end the presentation.
Today I will show you what you can do in the 3 mins just before the presentation to:
- feel less nervous
- get in a performance mindset
- start the presentation with confidence.
You will learn about the secret ritual used by top athletes like Michael Jordan to deliver top level performance.
In high stake situations like sports, the moment before the race is even more important than the actual race. That can set you apart from average performers and put you into an elite group.
Athletes cannot afford what we experience in presentations as the ramp up time before doing well.
So, what do they do?
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Top athletes can cope with pressure - as they know a secret...
They prepare a “pre-performance routine” - a series of mental and physical actions to get into a more optimal mental and physical state instantly.
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Here are 5 famous athletes and their pre-performance routines:
1. Michael Jordan
One of the greatest basketball players of all times, led the US team to 2 Olympic gold medals and 5 NBA championships.
Before a free throw - a very high pressure moment in basketball - he dribbles 3 times and spins the ball. That helps him focus.
1 min video linked at the bottom of the email where he explains his ritual to a group of students.
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2. Rafael Nadal
The Spanish tennis champion won 22 Grand Slam men's singles titles.
He is known for his thorough and time consuming rituals before serving. As part of it, he sweeps the baseline, taps his shoulders and nose, bounces the ball couple times and then serves.
30s video linked below where you can see him in action.
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3. Tiger Woods
One of the greatest golfers of all times.
He does several practice swings before his actual shot, shifts his weight between his feet and visualises where the ball will go.
2 min video in the link below to watch him prepare.
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4. Usain Bolt
The Jamaican sprinter holds the world record for 100m, 200m, and 4×100m relay.
His pre-sprint routine includes his “lightning bolt” pose where he points to the sky with his right arm and pulls it down like a bolt of lightning.
5. Michael Phelps
Famous American Olympic swimmer.
His routine includes a specific way to keep his goggles and towel, stretches and visualisation.
Details in the article linked below - fascinating!
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Every single routine is different.
But they have one thing in common - they calm down and bring focus. And there are elements in these routines that you can easily apply yourself.
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Here is how to create your own routine:
Breathing
- The way you breathe influences how you feel. When you breathe deeply, you can make your heart slow down so you can think more clearly. Perfect for the pre-presentation moment.
- Like Michael Phelps, calming himself down.
- Here is how: Breathe in for 6 seconds, hold your breath for 2 seconds, breathe out for 7 seconds. Repeat 3-4 times.
Visualisation
- You can increase your confidence by thinking of previous successful situations and tricking your brain into thinking it will happen again.
- Like Tiger Woods - he is visualising where the ball will go.
- Here is how: Pick one big success. Close your eyes and be in that moment again. What do you see? How do you feel? Stay there for 30s.
Power posing
- Amy Cuddy’s research shows: power poses increase testosterone (male hormone - for dominance) and decrease cortisol (stress hormone - for anxiety) so you feel calmer and more confident.
- Like Usain Bolt - his pose before the race makes him feel like he won already.
- Here is how: Stand or sit - feet apart and firmly grounded, chest up, head upright, chin up (if you can be alone somewhere like in the bathroom - arms up into a V shape). Hold the pose for 1 minute.
Of course, like the athletes I mentioned, you can have very specific add-ons, too. Like listening to your favourite song or wearing specific clothes that remind you of how confident and powerful you are.
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What I recommend:
In the week before your presentation, take my suggested simple routine of 3 steps, and go through it every day.
After every time you do it, say the introduction of your presentation aloud. This will make sure the routine is mentally connected to your presentation and you practice the transition between the routine and starting to talk.
Let me know how it goes?
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PS: Here the video/article links I mentioned:
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