Tee Up Your Speech: Golf is Like Public Speaking Tips 26-30
Let’s look at the final five tips comparing golf to public speaking.
Tip #26: Take Time to Pause and Gather Yourself
Rushing can only lead to problems.
In golf, if you hit a poor shot, take a moment to regroup. Take a breath, focus, and use a swing thought for your next swing. How many times have you rushed to swing again, and the same poor shot happened? You need to reframe your thoughts. If you get distracted prior to swinging, step away from the ball, and start again. The many thoughts that are swirling around in our heads can undermine our performance.
In public speaking, be sure to gather yourself and focus before you even begin. If you jump in too quickly, you may not have control of your breath and your voice will quiver. Try inhaling and exhaling to settle your nerves. Look at a friendly face in the audience and smile. Once you feel more “centered,” you can begin.
Throughout your talk, be sure to pause in between thoughts and at the ends of sentences. It helps the audience process the information and it gives us a chance to breathe and think! (it also reduces those word fillers!) Great speakers use pausing effectively. It adds to our executive presence.
Tip #27: We Get Allowances for Problems Beyond Our Control
In golf, there are times when we are not penalized. If a ball ends up in a drain, a flower bed, or an area that is under repair, we may get relief and we're allowed to move the ball without any penalty.
In public speaking, if you are late for reasons beyond your control, technology breaks down, or the room is noisy or too hot/too cold, people may be more forgiving than you think. Acknowledge the problem and move on. There is no need to over-apologize or place blame.
What are some other situations that are beyond our control when speaking?
Tip #28: Have a Sense of Humor
Laughter can get you through the most difficult moments.
In golf, so much can go wrong! Sometimes you simply must laugh about it. Golf is supposed to be fun, isn't it? When we take ourselves too seriously, we lose the joy of playing. Of course, there are times we may need to be more serious than others. Capture those fun moments; it might keep you playing golf longer!
In public speaking, whether live or recorded, things happen! You come across as more authentic if you respond naturally and then move on. Nobody is perfect and sometimes that helps the audience see you are human. If you laugh, it will make the audience more comfortable in an awkward moment.
What has been a difficult moment for you?
Tip #29: Reflect on Your Performance and Outcome
In golf, when you are finished, think about what you did well and what you can do to improve. How can you do better next time? How did you do in the Front 9 compared to the Back 9? How did you react to the challenges? Reflection helps us improve and move forward in our game.
In public speaking, it's not over when we leave the stage or podium or shut down the camera. We should also reflect upon what worked and what didn't. We can even watch our presentation if it was recorded. It's amazing what we can see. That will help us in the next presentation.
Reflection helps us learn lessons that will help us in the future.
What do you do to help you reflect?
Tip #30: Enjoy a Job Well Done
In golf, focus on your successes and appreciate the opportunity to spend time on the golf course. I can't say we always leave knowing that it was a job well done (at least for me). However, when we think about our good shots or the funny mishaps, or the beautiful sounds and sights on the course, we usually want to come back for more!
In public speaking, remember to focus on what went well and know that you delivered the best you could in that day and time. Appreciate your accomplishment. If you think you "bombed," just move on to the next opportunity! Tomorrow’s another day!
I hope you've appreciated these parallels between golf and public speaking over the past few months. If we are great public speakers, let's hope it will help us play better golf.....and if we're great golfers, let's see if it elevates our speaking skills.
Both golf and public speaking are a work in progress. We can always improve!
Reach out if you have any questions. All of these tips have been gathered into an eBook. Check out the website for more information about this fun product!
Lynda
Lynda Katz Wilner, MS
Speech and Communication Coach/Trainer