You Aren’t Rehearsing Enough for Your Presentations

You Aren’t Rehearsing Enough for Your Presentations

Oct 11 2019

Before a critical presentation, the best thing you can do is rehearse — a lot. That doesn’t mean you need to memorize every line (which will make you sound too rehearsed). Your goal should be to feel confident in what you’re saying while leaving room for spontaneity. Spend extra time on the beginning and the end of your talk, including your first and last slides. The introduction sets the stage for your message and gives your audience a reason to care. Your conclusion determines which ideas people will walk away with. If you nail these two sections of the talk, you’ll probably do well no matter what happens. You should also repeatedly practice any sections that have complex or technical content. While you rehearse, consider recording yourself on your phone; play it back to watch for distracting habits (fidgeting, avoiding eye contact) and areas where you seem unsure of yourself. Rehearse those sections a few more times.

If Your Project Doesn’t Have a Deadline, Make One Up

If Your Project Doesn’t Have a Deadline, Make One Up

Oct 2 2019

It’s easy to prioritize projects that have deadlines — you know exactly when they’re due. But how do you motivate yourself when a project doesn’t have a deadline? Try making one up. Pick a date that you want the work done by, or set aside a certain amount of time for it each day or week. You can also create accountability by enlisting positive peer pressure. Tell a colleague what your deadline is (even if you picked it), and send them updates regularly. For additional motivation, incentivize yourself. For example, you might decide that after spending a morning on the project, you’ll treat yourself to lunch. Or you could let yourself work from your favorite coffee shop — as long as you finish the project’s next step. If those incentives aren’t powerful enough, try penalties. Decide that if you don’t complete the task as planned, you won’t be able to listen to your favorite podcast or watch your favorite TV show tonight.

Prioritize Work That Gives You a Sense of Meaning

Prioritize Work That Gives You a Sense of Meaning

Oct 4 2019

We all want meaningful work, but meaning is rarely handed to us. It’s up to you to connect what you do every day to what you value — and that takes self-reflection and deliberate effort. Keep a journal of your tasks and projects, noting which ones you find deeply satisfying (and which are gratifying only in the short term). For example, do you feel fulfilled when making presentations to clients? Are you energized when mentoring and coaching junior employees? Then, as much as possible, prioritize work that aligns with your values. If helping others grow is part of your professional identity, make coaching one of your weekly activities. If self-development is a core value, make listening to podcasts or taking an online course a daily ritual. And talk with colleagues about how you’re prioritizing meaningful work. Hearing about others’ efforts will help everyone focus on what matters most.