Seven Steps to Better Presentations Essay

1. Start to see yourself as the world’s best presenter.
For many, the problem of effective presentations begins with a wrong self-image. They see themselves as clumsy, awkward, ill-at-ease, and then— voilà—they are. Start training your brain to see yourself not as a failure, but as a wildly successful person. Take note of how you look, how you feel, and what you’re doing. Keep those images alive; they will serve you well as you move closer to the image.
2. List the characteristics you want to emulate.
There are certain things the greatest presenters do that the not-so-great presenters do not do. What do you see the “top-shelf” presenters do? How do they connect with you? How are their materials presented? How do they connect with other members of the audience? Learn from those who are really excellent—and borrow their ideas liberally.  
You can learn a lot by watching other successful presenters.   That’s why every week we will view good presenters.   I’m not going to tell you their good characteristics.   You have to discover for yourself.   You are CAPABLE of doing this.
3. Make a list of words that describe “the new you.”
Your list should be five to seven words/terms that capture either how you would like to feel on the inside or how you would like to be seen by others. Your list might include the following: Ease, engaging, friendly, confident, knowledgeable, and informative.
4. Find out what others like about your presentations.
Sometimes we’re our own worst critics when it comes to presentations, yet others are able to see the strengths that often elude us. Get some feedback from others: What do they see you doing well? Write down their positive comments—and capitalize on them.
5. Ask others what they’d like to see you do differently.
This might be difficult, but try not to think of it as a report card. This is a way for you to identify the “outer limits” of your presentation behavior. In other words, the lists you generated in #3 and #4 above represent...