It’s really, really easy to ramble and to waffle on when we are presenting, right? Have you experienced that?

Why do we do it? Two reasons. 1. When we are in front of a live audience we either get really, really nervous or we get really, really excited. Both of these can wind us up, up, up and propel us into ramble mode. Or number 2. We’ve just packed way too much into our script.

So if you’ve written a presentation, or a speech or your notes, grab it, cut it in half. Literally, cut it in half. I know it’s painful and I know it hurts. Are you OKK. Great, now wait 24 hours. I don’t have a watch on, but wait 24 hours anyway and then, cut it again.

It sucks because we think that every single thing that we say is the most important thing in the world. Any message can be edited, cut, trimmed and made much more concise and delivered in a much more punchy way which is actually better for you and better for your audience.

The more you hone your message before you get on stage, the clearer it will be in your mind and your audience’s.

So, today’s action step is: Cut the fat from your script. Cut it, cut it, cut it. You can do it!