Speaking ‘off the cuff’ can be nerve-racking, even for experienced presenters. However, with mindful techniques, you can turn this challenge into an opportunity to communicate authentically, confidently, and effectively. Here are some practical strategies to help you speak ‘off the cuff’ mindfully in any situation:
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Choose one thing
Ask yourself what the one most important thing is that you know about the topic you are being asked to speak on and how it may help your audience. Don’t try think of everything you know or could possibly say to impress your audience.
Don’t try to remember everything or overthink what to say. Just ask yourself what would be the most helpful to them. If other ideas pop into your mind after you’ve shared the ‘one thing’, that’s fine but just start with the intention to share one message.
If you have a short story, example, statistic or question to ask your audience about your message that may be a good place to start.
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Connect with yourself
Stand tall and firm with your feet shoulder or hip width apart and your weight equally distributed between both feet. Open your chest by putting your shoulders back and taking a deep breath in. As you exhale, put a big smile on your face and imagine a golden cord or white light pulling you gently from the crown of your head up to the sky above you.
Connect yourself to the ground beneath you. Keep your spine straight and bend your knees very slightly whilst squeezing your feet very gently into your shoes noticing the feel of the ground on the soles of your feet.
Relax your arms by your side and open the palms of your hands.
Don’t be in a rush to speak. When you’re ready, make a little eye contact with your audience as you pause, smile and breathe.
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Mind your thoughts
Tell yourself that you are not there to impress your audience but to help them.
Focus on telling yourself that “I am calm”, “I am present”.
Remind yourself that speaking ‘off the cuff’ is natural, it’s something we all do a lot of the time and it’s okay to stumble at times.
Be mindful of your purpose, why you have been asked to speak at such short notice. Are you informing, persuading, or simply sharing?
Keeping your goal in mind guides your thoughts and speech.
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Watch your language
Don’t try to be perfect and don’t listen to the inner critic putting you on the spot to impress.
Be Authentic: Speak honestly and from your experience.
Focus on speaking slowly, sharing one thought, insight or idea at a time, taking a breath and pausing in between each one.
If you hear that inner critic, say:
‘What if I forget what to say and freeze?’
‘They probably know far more than me.’
‘What if they ask me a question, I don’t know the answer to?’
Take a breath, smile and remind yourself how far you’ve come.
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Remember how far you’ve come
Take a moment to reflect on everything you’ve achieved so far.
Without even knowing you, I can be certain that if you’re in the privileged position to present to fellow human beings without any time to prepare, you have already come a very long way.
Cast your awareness over the journey you have taken to get to where you are today. Remember positively, all the challenges, obstacles and anxieties you’ve overcome.
Focus on what you’re proud of and why you are where you are today, rather than being unkind to yourself.
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Remember who your audience are
Remind yourself that everyone in your audience is someone’s son, daughter, brother or sister; perhaps there are even a few mothers and fathers in the room.
Be compassionate to yourself:
– Smile and help your audience to smile.
– Help yourself and your audience to relax.
– Keep it short, simple and clear.
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Have some fun
Rather than seeing your audience as predators or judges waiting to trip you up, remind yourself of the fact that most people wouldn’t want to be in your shoes, and they are on your side.
They want you to do well.
As difficult as it may sound, tell yourself to lighten up a little and see this as an opportunity to see where the conversation goes as you accept the uncertainty of the situation.
This is a great opportunity for you to learn and grow yourself.
Caveat
If you really don’t know enough about a topic or have anything at all to say on it, have the courage to be honest.
You can say something like, “I’m not entirely sure I am the right person to speak on this topic or have anything valuable to share.” It’s okay to admit you don’t know enough or need more information rather than risk rambling and waffling.
If you need help speaking ‘Off the Cuff’:
– Book yourself onto a powerful public speaking course.
– Invest in some really good one to one public speaking coaching.
– Get yourself some excellent presentation training
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