Playing 100

Prepare your message thoroughly. Understand precisely what it is you would like to bring across to your audience…and how come. Knowing the aim of your oral communication will help focus and direct your thoughts, therefore allowing you to be at ease when it comes time to deliver your message. Additionally, other people find it helpful to practice physically” (or out loud—as though they were in reality giving a presentation…the only difference is, they're talking to an imaginary audience) prior to their presentation. While other people want to practice “mentally” (visualization exercises). As a matter of fact, most or all peak performers (from speakers to athletes…you name it) perform visualization exercises prior to their real performance. (This may mean days, weeks, months, or even years beforehand depending upon the sort of performance—and these exercises are commonly executed on a daily or steady basis.) Utilize what works for you. (For those who are not too acquainted with the term visualization, which is occasionally called mental imagery or mental rehearsal, essentially, what you do is you suppose in your mind's eye the sort of performance you'd like to give...with as much detail as conceivable...and likewise, the sort of end result you'd like from your performance. And it may be done with your eyes open or shut.

Note: Visualization exercises are much better and potent when done in what is called “affiliated” mode [meaning, you're visualizing your environment from inside your own body—for instance, imagining the audience before of you...imagining how receptive they are... you're feeling positive and relaxed where you're standing...and so forth—and not observing yourself from a distance…and with lots of vivid and positive feelings. Even more beneficial when you are able to include as many of your 5 senses as imaginable in your visualizations.)