In This Photo
I’m sitting in the audience, awaiting the curtain to rise on a brand-new musical called “Black Swan,” at American Repertory Theater here in Cambridge, MA. The air was filled with the energy of anticipation, the expectation of what was to come. And all I could think of was…
What Are They Doing Backstage?
How are they warming up? How are they managing their energy? Their nerves? How are they thinking about us, their audience-to-be?
Getting Ready
Whether it’s to perform, to present, to pitch or persuade, getting yourself ready is a real thing. You need to do this. And preparation is the key.
Nervous Or Excited?
Let’s face it, energy is energy. Our bodies don’t necessarily know whether we’re about to face a threat or an opportunity (or some combination of both!). They don’t know what to do with all that heightened energy, and it’s up to us to help our bodies and manage nerves.
It’s SHOWTime
Here’s my personal bias: I believe that every time we present, it’s showtime. You’re speaking, others are (hopefully) listening. That’s a show. Our business audiences today are typically tired, worn out from multiple meetings, and multi-tasking. You need to cut through the clutter, and that’s showtime.
It’s SALESTime
Sell is not a four-letter word. You are always selling something. At the very least you are selling yourself, your credibility, expertise and trustworthiness. Bottom line: you’re giving people reasons to listen to you.
Speaking Of Sales…
the internal sell always precedes the external sell. In other words, you can’t convince others until you’ve convinced yourself of the value of what you have to say. And that you are the absolute right person to be saying these words, on this day, to this audience.
3 Quick Tips To Get Ready
1. Channel your energy: it’s your personal power. Harness your energy to your one Blazingly Clear Objective so you have clarified for yourself exactly what you’re trying to do.
2. Develop your personal warm-up routine: it matters less what you do, and more that you do something. A set routine, that’s repeatable, signals your brain: “We’re OK. We’ve done this before.” You can have the 5-minute version and the 30-second version. Any combination you like of deep breathing, stretching, positive self-talk, etc.
3. Know your opening: cold. You should be able to say it in your sleep. We’re all at our most nervous and vulnerable at the beginning, before we get into our flow. You don’t want to be anxious about your first words.
Still Having Trouble?
Here’s your musical inspiration. The Temptations called it “Get Ready” and The Impressions called it “People Get Ready” (both released in 1965, a cool 60 years ago). Different groups, different tempos, same concept. Your bottom line? Play some music and get ready!
You can do this…
P.S. The performance of “Black Swan,” a dance-driven thriller, was extraordinary! Powerful, powerful, powerful.
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