It’s Formula One season once more (and what a season!) and as always I’m stunned by the way the drivers stay calm under pressure. Make a mistake there and it’s all over – perhaps permanently.
One of the ways they do it, of course, is by keeping their sense of perspective. Just like other athletes under pressure they concentrate on what they’re doing… not on the consequences. It’s no good obsessing about the race as a whole; instead, drivers concentrate on the corner in front of them, the car to be passed or the shortest line to be taken.
What does this to do with presenting and public speaking? We often have people to our training courses who say: “I’ve got a big presentation to come up and I can’t afford to get it wrong.”
The problem is that just thinking like that makes it more likely you will get it wrong! The right approach is to concentrate on the presentation itself – not the effects of failure – just like the tennis player who’s a Match Point up (or down!) or the F1 driver who’s got a notoriously difficult corner coming up.
Concentrate on what you’re doing and let the consequences work themselves out afterwards! Of course that’s easier said than done but the effort is worth it.
Some would say that focusing on the present rather than the past or the future is what brings about success, so yes I agree with ‘keeping your eyes on the road.’
Being in the ‘Now’ albeit a rather more philosophical/spiritual approach that has been popularised by Eckart Tolle’s book is a great way to try and live life.
Thank you for this blog Simon, I enjoyed reading it.
Kind regards and many blessings
always
Liz.x
Liz’s Blog/Website
Moving towards a more balanced body and lifestyle with Dance, Pilates & Breathing.