How can you manage your time and stay on schedule?

How do you manage your time? In my experience there are only 2 answers to that one: A. Practice and very important.... B. Practice! All joking aside, to me, practice is the #1 key component but having a great structure will help you keep your focus. By having the outline of your talk well structured, it will help you manage your time efficiently. It will have the added bonus of knowing where you are and how to get "back on track" if you've improv a little

When I first started public speaking, I saw it as a data dump: how do I cram as much information as possible to raise my audience to my level of expertise. I realized that people don't have a lot of attention spans, in addition, if every slide or idea is important, then its hard for the audienec to know what to focus. The key was to reduce the presentation to its core idea, and treat it as the leitmotif I'd keep referring to and coming back to in my presentation. I saw the difference it made: people not only better followed the presentation, they had better recall of what the presentation was about.

Recognizing and understanding your natural pace is crucial. Rehearsing at home may differ from a live audience scenario, especially when adrenaline kicks in. Take note of your reactions during such situations; some speakers might speed up, while others may slow down. Being aware of your tendencies is essential for timing your talk effectively during rehearsals and allowing room for adaptability. Consider preparing for a slightly shorter talk, which provides flexibility to pause and interact with the audience as needed. Avoid the temptation to cram in all possible points; instead, focus on what truly matters and deliver a concise, impactful message.

Mastering time management is crucial. Firstly, thoroughly plan your content, ensuring key points fit within the allocated time. Identify your speaking speed by dividing the number of words by the number of minutes. Once you've identified your natural speaking speed, you can time yourself and practice pacing during rehearsals, and make adjustments as needed. Use cues like a cell phone timer in your pocket to vibrate after a "x" minutes or discreet notes. Prioritize main ideas to avoid overloading with details. Engage the audience but stay mindful of time. Rehearse transitions to maintain a seamless flow. Be prepared to adjust if unforeseen circumstances arise. Staying disciplined and adaptable ensures a well-timed and impactful presentation.

Put time aside to write...and rewrite. DO NOT allow interruptions. Find a place of solace and start writing...it will continue on its own.

PowerPoint is a great tool for creating a solid structure. Each slide is a soundbite. Use slides as markers to pace your talk. Pause. Check in with your audience. You can even skip a slide or two. People love it when you adapt and pivot on-the-fly. Pivot on purpose. Adapt in the moment. Your audience will love you.

Create a roadmap for your tasks. Start by listing your major priorities or objectives - these are your main points. Then, break each one down into smaller, manageable tasks or subpoint, easily achievable steps. By organizing your time in this structured way, you can stay focused and on schedule. You'll have a clear sense of what needs to be done and how to approach it. This approach helps you manage your time effectively, ensuring that you make steady progress toward your goals while staying on track with your schedule.

Crafting a robust speech structure hinges on a well-organized approach. 1. Begin with a compelling introduction, capturing the audience's attention and emphasizing the topic's relevance and preview the main points. 2. Develop 2-4 key main points, supported by concise subpoints arranged logically for clarity. 3. Transition seamlessly between points with well-crafted sentences. 4. Visual aids can enhance understanding and engagement. 5. Incorporate relatable examples. 6. Summarize main points in the conclusion, reinforcing their importance, and end with a compelling closing statement. 7. Provide a key takeaway for lasting impact. This structured approach ensures a compelling and coherent speech that resonates with the audience.

Managing your time as a speaker is just important as your message. I agree with Isabelle Fortin on practicing your message while timing yourself. This will force you to recognize when you go off track versus staying the course. Sometimes new examples, stories or thought-provoking quotes pop up in the middle of your speech that can throw you off time. If you practice enough you have a better opportunity to catch them and incorporate them into your original speech from the beginning. Tweak, twist and redo your message until you have just the right recipe of value, humor, and takeaways.

One the main reasons speakers run too long is they script out everything they want to say. Big mistake. Just put together a list of key points and sub-points. Know how long you have each segment of your talk, not just the total time. The allocation of time and accountability to the timing of each segment should provide clear guidelines.

Obama was known for his impeccable delivery and rhythm in his speeches. He utilized strategic pauses to emphasize his points and allow the audience to absorb his message. He created a strong connection with his audience by carefully timing his speeches to match the energy and emotion of his audience. His ability to control the pace and cadence of his speeches added a sense of gravitas to his messages, making them more impactful. Just like singing a song or reciting a poem, captivating an audience takes practice in the flow of storytelling, using changes in tone, pace, and volume to maintain interest and keep audiences hooked on listening and following along.

Once you have your content, assess whether it's too much with a critical eye. Most people vastly overestimate the amount of information they can deliver in a given time. Shorten shorten shorten!

Pro tip: when using slides, mark your middle slide so you know when you're half-way through the content. Make a subtle time check and then adjust accordingly. If you have more time than you thought, slow things down and tell more stories and examples. If you're in a rush, omit those so you can complete on time.

When speaking, a strategic approach to time management is crucial. Estimate the time needed for each main point and allocate accordingly. Be flexible by building in extra time for unexpected moments or audience interaction. Continuously gauge the audience's engagement and adjust your pace accordingly. If you see a topic resonating, delve deeper; if not, pivot smoothly to the next point. Keep an eye on the clock and use subtle cues to maintain pace. Rehearse timing in advance to become comfortable with transitions and adjustments. This balanced approach ensures effective time management while staying adaptable to the dynamic nature of public speaking.

There's nothing worse than that moment where you realize the speaker needs to speed through a presentation. "Didn't they plan well enough? Am I going to miss something?" That'd what the audience is thinking. If you have a presentation that lasts for X minutes, prepare a presentation that lasts 3/4 of that time. Better a presentation given in a calm slow manner than one that is a race to the finish line. And what if you finish early? - Pose questions to yourself - Review key slides again - Take questions from the audience

A good storytelling needs planning, practice, and execution. 1) Think of a few key points you want to make sure you touch on. Plan for the grand finale — what do you want to leave your audience with? Something to ponder? A key message? 2) Practice. Use the slides as prompts. Time. Take frequent pauses — especially after key points. But don't read from the slides. And don't crowd the slides with text. (Else people will just focus on your slides instead of you.) 3) Have fun!

In refining your speech delivery, a timer or stopwatch is a valuable tool. Begin by setting a timer for your desired speech duration during practice runs. This helps you gauge if your content fits the allocated time and prompts adjustments if needed. Allocate time for main points and subpoints, maintaining balance. Practice transitions, ensuring they're seamless and not time-consuming. Experiment with pacing, emphasis, and pauses while rehearsing, using the timer to simulate real-time pressure. Review recorded sessions for pacing issues. Rehearse live with a timer to simulate real conditions. Use the timer discreetly on presentation day. Timed practice refines pacing, enhances delivery, and ensures a polished speech within the time frame.

Use visual keys (like a progress bar or section headers) in the slides to let the audience know where you are. This is also a secret way of knowing where in the presentation you as the speaker are. If you add the headline of the next slide at the bottom of the current slide, it even makes the transitions smoother (sort of like in Netflix when an episode ends and it says "Next episode: [episode name]"

I've seen great speakers look like robots, relying too much on movement and not enough on relaxing through the talk. I've even seen redundant speaking look amazing because I was caught up in the sheer excitement from those around me listening and responding to the speaker. Its a fine balance between knowing your content, knowing your audience, and first and foremost, knowing yourself.

Something commonly overlooked is that we do not speak the same way we write or read. A natural delivery will generally be more engaging than reading a script. I like to start by writing an explicit script, then notice where it feels odd or clunky as I practice. Find what works well in the script and repeat it so much it's internalized. Then, throw out the script and practice delivering naturally! The best parts of what you started with will shine through while the whole thing will feel more natural and engaging.

Don't be ?The Racer: Too fast ?The Lingerers: Too slow Be a cool and calm speaker ??The Pacer: just right Unlike your personal life your the only one who is watching the clock but in public speaking you have an audience who is watching clock for you. -Know the time -Have practice - Let audience enjoy their time.

I not only practice the speech, out loud, as a dress rehearsal, with all time given for any interactions or discussions, I meditate before I practice. I imagine the event and the moments leading up to my stage time. This way I can get the most accurate sense of my time. It also prepares me for the unexpected. My message is internalized and I can adjust if needed. ??????

Maintaining optimal timing in a speech involves a multifaceted approach. Begin by dividing your content into manageable segments, each with a designated time frame. Extensive practice with a timer helps internalize a suitable pace. During the presentation, discreetly monitor time with a watch or timer. Assess audience engagement to tailor your speed – delve deeper or pivot as required. Employ smooth transitions and strategic pauses for recalibration. Stay adaptable; prepare for time adjustments and vary your delivery. Embrace natural breathing patterns to set rhythm. Through consistent practice and real-time awareness, you'll master the delicate balance of precise pacing, ensuring an engaging and impactful presentation.

Monitoring your time left is a good idea - but always leave time for a strong conclusion. If you're running late, it's ok to skip one of your proof points so you'll havet ime to deliver your conclusion exactly as you planned and practiced it. On the same topic - if you need to include Q&A, it's best to do so BEFORE your powerful conclusion. People naturally remember the last thing you say - best not to leave it to chance.

When you're rehearsing, practice taking a long pause. Take a drink of water, open the discussions up for questions, or ask people to consider a point before moving on. When you're in front of a large audience, the shortest pause can feel like an eternity - practice getting comfortable in a pause, use that time to anchor your presentation to the required time, adjust your delivery as needed and make sure you are in control of your own timing and delivery.

The best speeches tell a story. The best stories involve a hero who goes on an adventure, is victorious in a decisive crisis, and comes home changed or transformed. This same template can be used when giving a speech on a business topic. You, your company, your client goes on a adventure trying to institute change, is victorious by overcoming resistance, defeating a rival etc. And you, your company, your client is changed forever because of the impact of the change that you made. Consider using this approach the next time you are developing a speech — it just make your story “pop!”

When it comes to public speaking, speeches and presentations, especially those being conducted within specific time frames, just remember that this particular moment in time doesn't have to be the only time you connect with your audience. You don't have to cram in EVERYTHING. Focus on the most important messages and allow your audience to follow up, read other things that you have written or said, to fill in the gaps. Create a foundation of other material for your speaking career and you'll be less inclined to overstuff your speeches.

Having a balanced approach ensures success. There is no one-size-fits-all. Finding the approach that works for you is in your best interest and that happens through trial and error. 1. Word for word memorization 2. Frameworks and flow 3. Off the cuff It's advisable to experiment with all of these methods and you may discover that a combination of these methods serves you best. Remember: 1. The 5 P's: Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance. 2. Proper practice gives us flexibility. 3. Proper practice gives us confidence. 4. Proper practice is the best "nerve killer" and the ultimate antidote to pre-speech nerves. 5. Familiarize and internalize your speech content and material as opposed to memorizing it word for word.

In addition to storytelling, you need to keep your audience engaged, especially with the world in need of constant, “instant gratification”. Consider sharing videos, pictures, and quotes that help tell your story to your audience. These can easily be inserted to your presentations and will help connect you to your audience on a more personal level.

When you're the speaker following someone who's run over time, adaptability is key. This is where I have found that being well-practiced and having improv training really helps! In improv, you learn to think on your feet, respond to the unexpected, and make quick decisions. If the previous speaker goes long, you can lean on these skills to adjust your presentation on the fly. You might need to shorten your talk, emphasize different points, or change your delivery style. Improv teaches you to be flexible and creative, allowing you to still connect with your audience and deliver a powerful message, even when faced with the unexpected. Bring on the challenge!