“HOW MUCH PREPARATION FOR CLASS OR PRESENTATIONS IS ENOUGH?: Part 2”

HOW DO YOU THINK ABOUT PRESENTING?

How should your students or audience perceive your presentation through their eyeballs? Based on the “sidebar” in my previous blog, I think it should be reflexive and seamless. I should know my material so well that it appears to flow naturally. The PowerPoint with all of the multimedia should proceed seamlessly in terms of the content and technology.

I admit I have been completely nuts when it came to preparing for class and presentations. I make changes, practice, and rehearse over and over right up until the presentation to make sure everything works. I’m never satisfied. And then somewhere during the presentation, I commit a gaffe or there’s a technology glitch, such as a video doesn’t play or the electricity in the entire building goes out. I think that’s how God humbles me to let me know who’s in charge.

IT’S ALL IN THE PREPARATION!

What may take 8 or 30 seconds to execute could take considerable time to prepare. In retrospect, I have never regretted the preparation for my classes and any keynote or workshop. My students and professional audiences always deserve the best I can possibly deliver. The impact and value to my audiences were worth it and their appreciation and responsiveness were the pay-offs. I wanted each presentation to be better than any previous one. Each one was my best effort at that point in time.

WHERE DO YOU DRAW THE LINE?

So what are you going to invest in your classes and presentations? Where are you going to draw the line? I have found that you find the time to do what matters most--- the highest priority. That’s the result of passion, not a job. At the end of the day, regardless of what time-management system you use, if a task was not completed, it’s because it simply wasn’t important enough.

As you wind down this semester in the next month, consider how you prepare for presentations that matter, whether classes, faculty meetings, conferences, or lectures to your kids and pets. Can you do more or give more? I know I always can. In 2012, break your preparation mold and notice the differences in your presentations. You’ll never go back.

HAVE AN INCREDIBLE HOLIDAY SEASON!

COPYRIGHT © 2011 Ronald A. Berk, LLC