Presentation Hiccup
Joe Kwon ?????
Transcend statistics, increase belonging, and unlock higher performance ? Everybody Thrives Academy ? Author of "Unlock Your Executive Presence" ? Keynote speaker ? Podcast host
"It's TIME!"
Now you're not stepping into the Octagon, but it sure feels that way. Butterflies in your stomach are aflutter, doubts are circling, and your adrenaline is pumping. You've put in the time and there is no turning back now. It's time for your BIG presentation.
You run through your checklist.
-Sound? Check.
-Hair and makeup? Check.
-Backup notes? Check.
-In the zone? Check.
And then it happens. The one thing you didn't anticipate that could derail your entire presentation. You are assaulted by a severe case of the hiccups! I'm not talking about cute, newborn baby hiccups. I'm talking about the explosive, jet propulsion variety set to 11 on the volume dial. You picture the audience being distracted at best and envisioning Andy Capp at worst. You do NOT want to be remembered as "The Hiccup Guy/Gal!"
When the pressure is on, you don't rise to the occasion, you fall to your highest level of preparation.
~Chris Voss
Luckily, you are prepared. I will share with you two EZPZ ways to rid yourself of hiccups.
Method #1 is the one I swear by, but if you are clumsy or prone to spills, you might opt for Method #2.
Method #1. Drink from the other side of a cup.
Step 1. Fill a cup halfway
Step 2. Bend at the waist 90 degrees
Step 3. Drink from the far side of the cup
Method #2. Hold your breath and drink.
Step 1. Hold your breath by pinching your nose.
Step 2. Take 8 sips while continuing to hold your breath.
Here's a short video that helps explains these two methods and throws in a third.
Now that your hiccups have been defeated, time to K.O. your presentation.
Good luck!
If you have any questions or comments or would like to share a presentation story or your own, I would love to hear from you.
You can read more posts below or on my LinkedIn Author Page:
- The Cure for Imposter Syndrome is to Admit You Are Right
- Why 2018 Will Be Your Best Year Yet
- Resilience: What Falling Down Taught Me About Getting Up
- Winners and Losers in the Office Game of Thrones
- The Secret to Changing Someone's Behavior
This post is from my blog EZPZ. If you would like to read the original or any of my other posts, please click here.
About Joe
Cuisine-curious, DVR-loving, global Privacy professional and shaved-head proponent, who spends magical summers at Hogwarts and dreams of kokyunage.
A curator of shared purpose, delivering organizational growth by harnessing a team’s passion, creativity and leadership.
6 年Well, I'm not sure about the "hair and makeup" Joe. . . (Says the bald Norwegian) :-) Great suggestions. I've never encountered a hiccup fit before a presentation, yet now I know what to do if, no, when, it happens! Thanks man!
International Speaker | Workshop Facilitator | Storyteller | Musician | Gallup StrengthsFinder Coach | 300+Episodes Podcast Host | Author | Job Interview Coach
6 年I've used that upside-down drinking trick, Joe Kwon, and it works for me! As Mandla Mtsweni mentioned, relying on your slides can be a big mistake, given the often disconcerting technology hiccups we've all experienced. At a big keynote a few years ago, my presentation was up, but the handheld clicker didn't work! I had to walk up and down the stairs of the stage to manually forward slides. I could have stayed behind the podium, relying on my slides (which were mostly images, anyway), but that's not my style. I love to move around among the audience - so I did. And honestly, I don't think anyone noticed the crazy stair-stepping I had to do.
Independent Business Consultant at Independent consultants and associates
6 年Important for all presenters, is that you should put little reliance on your slides. Slides are supporting artifacts of what you know. The worst is when slides lead your input... Know your presentation, rehearse and understand to handle any objections and questions. Be able able to continue even if the lights go out. I learnt that in my early corporate days, and it stayed with me.
Low-carb advocate
6 年Great article, Joe! My trick is to swallow 3 times while holding your breath. Works every time!