Many of us have experienced that horrible moment when our mind goes blank while talking in front of people. It's an intensely unpleasant experience, especially when the stakes are high, such as during a sales presentation or an important negotiation. But fear not, there are a few things you can do when your brain decides to throw you under the bus.
Firstly, it helps not to worry about this happening before the event itself. This can become somewhat of a self-fulfilling prophecy. The more you dread it happening, the more mental resources are diverted from the actual focus, making it more likely to happen.
The strategies below will help you feel more calm and prepared, reducing the likelihood of a brain blank:
Go in with the right self-talk
Remind yourself that it's normal to go blank in this situation. Even when we are relaxed, we are nearly 20% likely to experience a brain freeze. Tell yourself that it doesn't have to be a disaster; you can recover and still give a good performance. Also, remember that this has happened to everyone, and most people will understand and give you time to get past it.
Have a few pre-planned phrases as a backup
Even if the interaction is not a planned speech, you can still have a few scripted lines to fall back on. Memorize some easy-to-remember phrases that fit the theme of the event. This will cover you while your brain catches up. Having a relevant story is also very helpful. Because of the way our brain processes a story, brain blanks are significantly less likely to happen.
Pause
Avoid trying to rapidly recover. This can increase anxiety and make you fumble your words. Instead, pause in an appropriate way. Take a sip of water while you collect yourself, or even tell people that your mind has gone blank. People are likely to appreciate this honesty and even find the confession likable.
Breathe
Brain blanking is linked to the 'flight, fright, or freeze' reaction in our brain. Taking a calming breath has been shown to offset this. Breathe deeply and exhale slowly. Doing this even once will make a difference and will not be too disruptive to your presentation.
Take it from the top
Reset to the moment before the mind blank by saying something like 'let me try that again'. In a meeting setting, you can ask the person to repeat the question, or repeat it back to them in your own words by saying 'so to clarify'. All these techniques give you time to recover and get back on track to the outcome you're aiming for.
Build a story into the pitch
Having a relevant story is also very helpful. Because of the way our brain processes a story, brain blanks are significantly less likely to happen. Remember, stories can be used to describe complicated ideas or data. These are when you’re more likely to lose your thread. Telling them as a story will help.
Remember the big picture
The main thing to remember is the overall goal of the meeting or pitch. Remind yourself that what you have to say is worthwhile for your audience, and occasional lapses won't change that. The value of your message will be what stands out.
In conclusion, going blank during public speaking is a common fear, but with these tips, you can navigate through it gracefully. Remember, it's not the end of the world if it happens, and with practice, it can become less frequent. Keep calm, stay prepared, and focus on delivering your message. You've got this!
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