Do you ever think, “I’m so stressed about this speech/panel/meeting, and it’s pivotal to my career, and I know I’m going to forget everything, and I mean EVERYTHING?!”
Sometimes you can’t help it. Your “shoulder devil” takes over and your brain freezes.
Here are some ways to handle brain freeze 🥶 ➜
Notice I didn’t say “overcome” this issue. You can almost add MORE ice to the Freeze Factor by wishing this behavior pattern to simply vanish.
Give yourself a break and work on compensating devices to handle a sudden rush of freezer burn.
🌞 1. Don’t memorize your info, EXCEPT for your first and last sentence.
🌞 2. Use a solid outline that you can refer to at any time. Yes, you can use notes; BUT don’t bring too much info to the lectern, board room, or conference meeting. Use the KISS approach: Keep It Simple Strategy.
🌞 3. Start with what you know. Maybe that’s a story or a favorite quote.
🌞 4. Say your beginning out loud to a trusted colleague ahead of time. Why? The first two minutes are the hardest. You might be really articulate in your own head, but what comes out of your mouth is the only message received by your team, colleagues, or fellow CEOs at your annual think tank meeting. Practice out loud!
🌞 5. BREATHE!
🌞 6. Look at energy givers in your audience. Try NOT to get crazy over people in your group that exhibit a “funeral face.” Maybe that’s their normal facial expression. Plus, how do you know what’s going on in their lives? Maybe they look like that for personal reasons.
Breathe, refer to your fantastic outline, believe in your message and keep going.
© 2024 Karen Cortell Reisman, All rights reserved
Photo ©: 123RF Stock Photo
Great Advice! I memorized the first speech I ever gave in high school – and brain freeze hit. Then the only word I could think of, I am too polite to share in this comment. No. 1-3 are especially helpful.
Hi Val! Those high school mishaps are treacherous! Especially in high school!! I’m glad that the first 3 tips resonate with you.
Hi Karen, this is such great advice. One glance from funeral face can really rattle your cage.
HI Dan! You are correct. When we see a funeral face in the audience it can really rattle the cage (nice analogy). We have to remind ourselves not to take it personally. We do not know what is going on with said funeral face.
Great to hear from you!