How can you overcome the fear of forgetting your speech?

As a keynote speaker, and after having crafted a presentation loaded with high value content and relatable real-word stories, I work by what I call the rolling R process... Rehearse - practice the presentation from memory over and over Review - pay attention to what works and what doesn't and note accordingly on the script Refine - try different stories or anecdotes for smoother delivery Restructure - rework and rewrite the presentation accordingly Rinse and Repeat - continue rehearsing, reviewing, refining and restructuring until it's slick and professional, and feels easy to deliver. N.B. The rolling Rs is also the process I do after every keynote presentation because the audience is my best baromometer of what works and what doesn't.

Knowing your material and expertise is critical for credibility and relevance. However, knowing your material and speaking about it from an educational and technical perspective is only one component. You must get to the emotional component and that is through story - that's when you really draw people into your message.

There's no substitution for preparation. I remember losing weight when I started sharing internationally because I became obsessed with improving my presentation skills. I'm not at all suggesting that we not take care of ourselves or overdo it, but honestly, that's not what I see in the world of work. This all too common view that you can "wing it" and still be successful is a fallacy. Those of us who do this well are making it look easy. That doesn't mean it is easy. Presentation skills are skills and like all skills, they can be improved. Take the time to study your material, your audience, and your delivery. You've got this!

Go beyond surface-level knowledge and strive to become a subject matter expert in your chosen topic. Dive deep into research and explore various perspectives. When you're an authority on your subject, your confidence will soar. You should then build a mind map that encompasses your entire speech. Organize key points, subtopics and supporting details visually. This holistic view helps you see the connections between ideas and facilitates a more comprehensive understanding. Finally, one of the most effective ways to solidify your understanding is to teach your material to someone else. Explain the concepts and walk them through examples. Teaching reinforces your knowledge and highlights areas that may need clarification.

Before every speech or presentation, a thorough research needs to be done. Gather as much information as possible. Arrange in a sequence, add your experience. If you are using power point slides use only pictures/ images or points. Always have contents slide, so that you will miss any point don't put sentences in your slide. Else you will end up reading the entire slide, in turn you will loose eye contact with the audience. If you are using stage to give presentation, don't show your back to the audience. Even after doing all these, practice as much as possible. I will always practice sequence of my presentation/ class even while cooking, sleeping etc. This helps me to frame my sentences and usage of language.

For those who think visually, mind mapping can be a game-changer. Create a visual representation of your speech using colors, shapes, and connections between ideas. This approach helps you remember the flow and key points of your presentation. If your speech includes storytelling, use specific anchor points within the story to help you remember its progression. Visualize these anchor points to recall the narrative effortlessly. Utilize props or objects that represent key elements of your speech. Handling these props during your presentation can serve as a tactile memory aid and add a dynamic element to your delivery. Note that memory aids are not crutches but rather strategic tools to enhance your presentation skills.

I have been speaking full time for over twenty years. Read all the way to the end to discover the big secret. First, let me share this with you... I don't use notes. I deliver a keynote; not a lecture. What works well for me is to focus on the stories. I only need to remember the order of the stories, the big takeaway (s) of every story and the transitions. A speech without stories will not inspire or motivate. Your job is to keep practicing the stories. The big secret: Have one speech. Deliver it over and over. Most people struggle with the memory issue because they give a new speech every time they get invited. Listen to the big names like Gary Vee, Brian Tracy, or Les Brown. They are saying the same things over and over. Right?

Palm cards, notes or scripts may be acceptable for industry speakers, but not keynote speakers. The only aid I use is my slide deck which gives me a quick visual cue of the next story or transition. This way, my presentation remains fresh, fun and in the flow. Audiences demand and deserve the speaker be present in the room, not reading from notes.

Always, always, always rehearse 'as if'! As if you're on the stage, as if the audience is there, as if you doing it right then and there. No stops! During rehearsals, I wear the shoes I'll be wearing on stage and always rehearse using my slide deck and clicker. It's never just a rehearsal - it's a full, non-stop run-through. Rehearsing 'as if' leaves little room for failure and builds a speaker's confidence and courage faster.

Practice makes perfect, and this holds especially true for honing your public speaking skills. Enlist the help of a friend or colleague to engage in dynamic role-play. Pretend your practice partner is the audience, and deliver your speech to them as authentically as possible. This approach allows you to simulate real speaking conditions. Also, recording your practice sessions is a powerful tool for self-improvement. Listen to the recordings critically, paying attention to your tone, pacing, and articulation. Identify areas that require refinement and make necessary adjustments. Work on vocal modulation to convey emotion and engagement. Finally, practice using variations in pitch, volume and intonation to bring your words to life.

I will always practice my presentations - when I'm walking, to my pretend audience and I also write it in bullet format. The secret is to know the flow, not the words.

Public speaking can be a daunting endeavour, with the fear of failure often taking centre stage. To overcome this, design a mental rehearsal routine that you can practice regularly. Dedicate a few minutes each day to visualize yourself successfully delivering your speech. Go beyond the broad strokes of success and visualize every detail of your speech. Imagine confidently walking onto the stage, starting your speech with a captivating opening and smoothly transitioning between points. Visualize yourself maintaining eye contact, using gestures effectively and exuding confidence throughout. Incorporate positive affirmations into your visualization. Repeatedly tell yourself that you are a skilled, confident and engaging speaker.

You're on stage to change lives, not just recite lines. So, how do you beat the fear of forgetting your speech? Visualization. As an NLP Master Practitioner, I tell you this isn't fluff; it's mental conditioning. Close your eyes. See yourself on that stage, every word hitting its mark, the crowd captivated. Feel that success. Your brain can't distinguish this from reality; you're wiring yourself for impact. Don't just memorize—visualize. Replace fear with a clear image of success. You're not up there to just get through it; you're there to dominate. So, prep your mind like you would a key business strategy. This isn't just remembering, it's executing. Ready to make an impact? Go own that stage.

When you own your value as a speaker and you are focussed entirely on the audience you will rock any stage. It must be a win'win scenario and that energy must be transferred by your authentic intention behind both those points.

Experiment with different ways to compose yourself. Everyone calms down in their own unique ways so it's important to discover your own. Do not make the mistake of "practicing" only on the real day of the speech. You don't practice penalties in a real football competition!

You can forget some points of your speech while speaking but you can overcome it by following the steps. Firstly, note down those important points in a paper and speak it first time by seeing it. Then try to speak it without seeing them, it will make your memory stronger. Secondly, try to be mentally strong while speaking and just focus on your points and not anything else. You will have no problem to remember while speaking.

The method I am going to describe below is fairly effective & can be used to always remember the speech. Before I describe the method let me mention that we do tend to play the speech back in our heads at different times. The method is regarding unscheduled silent mental playback. So whenever one is playing it back in one's head at any convenient time, one should move the lips and make the motion of saying it without actually making a sound. This method burns it into the memory track like we used to burn CD s not very long ago

Speak to what you are passionate about and be flexible with your speech. Of course you will have notes and a main focus, but be flexible based on the region you're speaking and incorporate some history or connection to the audience members. Target groups who will benefit from what you have to share best and also persons who may inspire you, i.e. students, as this will help you relax and be more fluid and natural.

Find your local Toastmasters! In case you've yet to catch on, there's a singular note of advice offered by every experienced speaker out there: Practice! If you're not comfortable speaking in front of others, this is especially relevant. Speech delivery is a skill and, like any other skill, practice makes perfect, so don't stop at memorizing and rehearsing for family and friends. Join up with your local Toastmasters. It's an organization of professionals who come together with the goal of honing thier public speaking skills. You'll be sure to receive honest feedback, support, and practical suggestions. Best of all, it's often a chance to network with amazing professionals in your area!