“I really like how you answer the questions so well in the moment.”

A friend at church stopped me to share this compliment.

“All the glory to God,” I replied with a bit of unease because I didn’t expect it.

“How do you do it so easily?” she pushed.

I replied, “Well, it’s because I have thought about THOSE questions a lot. I have spent quite a lot of time researching and applying what I have found surrounding those questions.”

That’s why it seems I can answer them well and very quickly.

If you are working on your public speaking skills, remember: before you ever speak in public, you must have spent several hours practicing in private.

Very few people are naturally excellent at speaking in front of others. In the beginning, you need to spend a lot of time practicing when no one else is watching.

Then, slowly expose yourself to more and more people to “test” whether it’s working.

You don’t just get great at public performances with little to no private deliberate practice.

What question might you get asked at work next week?

Why don’t you start practicing how to present it now?

And by practice, I mean multiplying the number of practice hours you thought of by 10.

Yes, it takes that much if you are very new to it.

Now practice in front of a friend, then a few friends.

Also, try practicing in the same posture you might be asked to answer in.

If you are going to stand, off-center, with a clicker in your left hand to present, do so now.

I have found it helps prepare you physically.

Lastly, take some time to find out what Deliberate Practice concepts you can apply to your specific case.

Until the next one.

This is Eli.

Stay exceptional.

I am starting a personal growth book club for Christian business leaders, if this sounds like something you might be interested in please fill the form below:
https://forms.gle/sQxue8zrruhNCUaW8