Hey guys don’t doubt the hook, okay? Because it’s someone with 10/10 in the class Presentation telling you this! Don’t worry, that was my natural flair for exaggeration.
But I mean it.
The mere idea of presentations used to scare me. The moment our professor would say, “Next week we’ll have presentations.”; there I’d start rolling with a stomach-ache unless one day I finally presented. And now looking back, it’s the thing I loved the most. See, it brought me here to you with an experience to share. What else could I ask for?
The thing is, most of the times in our life we are running away from things because we know if we face them, another fear will be unlocked. We will achieve one more level of personal and social development but at the cost of facing fear. That ultimately stops the majority among us.
But pity for the one who doesn’t take these changes. I have seen my batchmates who were academically high-achievers but when it came to presentation skills, they’d literally faint!
I’d like to mention here that yes, there are people who ace their first presentations as well. However, there is a list of factors which either cultivates confidence or multiplies fear in a child’s DNA. HOME is always the foremost in the list.
Let’s scrutinize this situation better with these three top magic tips I have learned so far from my presentations. The second one will for sure bring a smile on your face but the last one is as always, not the least. Keep reading!
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1. Your first presentation will always make you laugh later. So, RELAX and LET IT BE!
My electronics teacher once told us, “There is a thing with people who are good at presentations. They accept in the beginning that yes; they are nervous which makes it easier.”
a. Winning the first half:
It’s easier to sit back and mock the person and say, “Come on! You can do it. We are just your classmates.” But honestly, coming at the forefront, turning around and being different from the rest is itself an achievement.
b. Winning the second half:
Then comes the next half; the presentation part. The thing we fear the most is that if all that we feel within at that moment comes out, we will fail.
But that’s not the case. In fact, accepting that you’re nervous does wonders. It creates space for more attention and acknowledgment between your audience and you.
Fun Fact-01
The first time I did a class presentation, I didn’t want anyone to know how nervous I was but that appeared in my pace and voice. In fact, at one point, I said “wives” instead of “bikes” and it still makes me smile today. I got 7/10 back then.
Fun-Fact-02
But the second time I was on stage and in front of a greater audience, I began with saying,
“I am a bit nervous but a lot more excited and let’s hope this ends up being a success.” It really did!
It did turn out to be a success and it was one of those few days where I feel proud of myself. Therefore, gear up because you can do it!
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2. You will eventually have to face that adrenaline and sweat. So, ACCEPT and SHOW UP!
There is no point in running away from life. Even if you’re prepared or even if you’re not; life has to happen and it will, eventually.
Like me, you cannot go and tell your mother, “Mama, life in this small warm room is so cozy and easy. Outside, it gets hard.”
But I’m sure if you say so, your mother will say the same thing as my mother told me, “Yes, it does get hard outside but then it becomes easy. As simple as that!”
Here are some ticks:
Yes, you will feel those cramps when your presentation turn is near, that’s fine.- Yes, you will want to run away, that’s fine.
- Yes, you will hate looking into your friends’ eyes (if in case they make you laugh), that’s fine.
- Yes, you will make mistakes and you will mispronounce words, that’s fine.
- Yes, your voice will be either too shrill or too loud. But AGAIN, that’s fine.
Everything on earth that can go wrong while you present can happen or may happen but THAT IS FINE!
Accept and win.
I once read this and it’s actually quite funny the first time you read it but, “BE A BUFFALO!”.
Buffaloes have a way of facing storms, they face it. There does exist a thing like the buffalo mentality. Check it out sometime.
Therefore, next time when you feel those cramps, say in your heart, “Be a buffalo” and raise! You will want to thank me later for this.
3. You will keep getting better at it, I promise. So, KEEP IT UP and DO IT WELL!
At this point, sitting on a couch or your study table, this may feel like, “Yeah! We know that. Everyone says so. What’s new in it?”
But listen, it is never about bringing up a new way to do the same old thing. It’s only about doing it. That’s how you get it. People can only come up and share their experiences. After all, they too had to do it to come and tell you that yes;
a. they did present,
b. they did stand up and face their fears,
c. they did make mistakes
d. they did learn and,
e. they did get better.
This is what it felt like and this is what brought them where they are today!
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A Funny Story Time:
It’s weird and funny at the same time but when I was in Grade six, I remember I actually searched on YouTube, “How to eat pizza with a knife and fork?” Because I had cousins who could eat with it and I’d hide myself while I’d eat with my hands so that they wouldn’t mock me. And it doesn’t end here, I actually watched videos on that. I saw people doing it. But I just learned it by doing it! That’s another thing that now I realize the real taste lies in eating with hands.
With that, we end by stating this very good statement that I often come across on my Instagram feed which says,
“Only doing the thing is doing the thing.”
In life and towards a better life, there is no shortcut. There is no escape. Do it and you’ll rise stronger. While it hopefully brings a smile on your face, I hope this helps too! Ace your class presentations.