How over-rehearsing can undermine your presentation

The time and energy devoted to a few extra run-throughs might be better spent on revitalizing yourself with rest, exercise and proper nutrition and hydration. Speakers, heed this advice.

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You’re giving a big presentation and have been really busy, so you haven’t rehearsed it as much as you’d like.

What to do? For many speakers, the answer is to cram in as many rehearsals as you can in the day leading up to the speech.

That is not the answer. It is a surefire way to lose your voice, tire yourself out and undermine your performance.

Rather than burning the candle at both ends to rehearse your speech, plan an on-site dress rehearsal and technology check the day before your presentation, and run through it one last time on the morning you are slated to deliver it.

Otherwise, shift your focus to these five aspects of self-care so you will be physically and mentally able to do the best possible job with your presentation:

1. Rest. Of course you’re busy; that’s why you didn’t rehearse enough in the first place. But maintaining a hectic calendar the day or two leading up to your speech is a recipe for disaster. Keeping a breakneck pace (even if that’s your norm) can leave you feeling overwhelmed and frazzled when you step up to the lectern.

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