GYMH 64 Winging It vs. Preparing It

What’s the difference between preparing and winging? When you get serious about preparing, you shift your whole process. Instead of walking into the room and trusting your ability to read the audience on the fly, you’re learning what they need in advance, and shaping your message for them and only for them. Michael discusses his shift in perspective away from winging it, and how you can use preparation to deliver your most impactful message possible.

Never wing a performance.

Michael shares a confession with us – up until a few weeks ago, he had never written a speech in his life. Some people rely on their ability to read the audience, improvise, and react on the fly. Michael shares his journey from relying on talent, to developing his skill to a deeper level.

Change your preparation.

Are you a preparer, or do you tend to wing it? If you have natural talent, winging it will get you to a decent place. But if you’re committed to being someone who changes people’s lives, you need to come in with your message mapped and prepared to have the impact you need to have in every situation, with every audience. Michael discusses the difference between entertaining your audience and really challenging them to change their lives and their behavior.   

Focus on the presentation, not just the tools .

Oftentimes, people will put all their effort into preparing their slideshow or their handout, instead of preparing the speech or presentation itself. But these tools have inherent limitations – if there’s no message, the tool isn’t going to help. Michael discusses focusing on the content instead of the tool.

Challenge yourself to write a script.

Michael explains how to move beyond relying on talent in order to hone your message and have the most impact possible. We need to do our homework – we have to learn, we have to talk to people, understand the problems they’re having and the language they’re using.  We need to know the solutions they’re looking for, and then intentionally craft the message to help them discover a solution that works.

Develop your signature speech.

The core stuff we believe are the things we hold on to for a long time. That’s what gives you integrity, and gives your business purpose. What is the big idea that drives you? What is the big problem you’re trying to solve?

Recommended Action

Make the commitment to define: what is your core message? What is your core framework? Go through the process to write that 45-60 minute speech that reveals your core message. What will be different in people’s lives if they take the steps you’re encouraging them to take? By writing out your signature speech, you’ll gain clarity on the message you’re seeking to deliver, and you’ll be able to rehearse your message, as you created it.

Free Download

When you meet someone who you'd like to have as a client- whether it's an actual sales conversation or just a handshake, what you do AFTER is the most important factor in whether or not you'll end up working with them. Download Michael’s 4-step follow-up method at http://michaelhudson.com/followup to make sure you never miss an opportunity.