I like the models of behavior which can be applied to different processes of life. There're not that many scenarios in our everyday businesses. Today i wanna tell about, for example, public speaking( pitches as many like to call it) and trips. Both take a lot of nerves and energy. How to fell better and not to worry. You're gonna be nervous anyway, but you can significantly lower the pressure on yourself. We'll take the situation everyone has already passed through - a first date. Lets remember when we were 18. Boy is going on a date with a girl he really likes. He's nervous like never before. Why? He doesn't know what to expect from her, a lot of things can go wrong (out of money, phone battery is low, restaurant is too expensive, weather, her behavior and expectations may change). She wont be nervous, 'cause she knows she can end this evening at any moment. What he can really do is to reduce the number of uncertainties. He can borrow some extra money (maybe he won't need' them, but he's gonna feel calmer), check if his phone is charged, go to a cafe he knows, take a sweater, ask her friends what she likes. He can come up with plan B - if not cafe, than cinema or some sports event. And so on..Lower the level of unforeseen. This model works in the moment when we have to make presentation of products, pitch to the investors or just speak to the public. Again, what we can do to lower the pressure: if you have your presentation in Dropbox - take a copy on a flashcard and dvd (if wifi goes down you have alternatives), take your own markers, batteries, silent your phone, take extra business cards, do not wear new clothes (we feel the new on us), take a small sponge to clean your shoes the weather is bad, etc. Think what situations you can predict now and prepare - you're gonna be much more confident and everything's gonna be great.And remember, the audience, like the woman, can forgive a mistake, but will not forgive insincerity.
In the next part i'll tell you, what we're building to take the pressure of not knowing while you're in a trip.
Evgeny Popravko