Turn the Can’t Do it Yet Mindset into a Presentation Asset

“The mind is a wonderful thing. It starts working the minute you’re born and never stops working until you get up to speak in public.” – Patricia Ann Ball

We’ve all heard the “I Can’t Do it Yet” excuse from those who refuse to respond to challenges and setbacks. Some think this is a lack of immediate mastery, a sign of weakness, or worse, inability to perform.

But this is, in fact, a positive intervention that can greatly influence everyone’s outlooks and events, to which presentations are no exemption.

Not yet ready for that very important client presentation? Don’t hold back.

Here’s how to use that ‘can’t do it yet’ mindset as your greatest asset:

Think Positively

It’s true that there’s always a first time for everything and that you can always do it better.

If you’re new to public speaking, and you think you can’t do it yet, focus on the possibilities that you can hone your skills over time.

Feed yourself with positive self-talk and look past the desire to look smart, to avoid challenges, criticisms, and failures.

Be open for growth and embrace every challenge that might come.

In case negative feedback and unexpected events happen during your pitch, treat them as a chance to improve the next time you present.

Doing this unleashes your full potential and manifests a great deal of behavior in both professional and personal contexts.

Put Extra Effort

There are two mindsets that shape our lives: one that’s geared towards fixedness and growth.

According to Carol Dweck, a fixed mindset sees risk as potential giveaways of inadequacies, while a growth mindset believes basic qualities as things that you can cultivate.

Even history’s most prominent speakers have experienced presentation jitters. Find lessons and inspiration from them to encourage yourself to keep learning and improving.

As the saying goes, practice makes perfect. Don’t get discouraged by your previous mistakes and other people’s perception of you.

Instead, put in extra effort to nurture your abilities and master useful skills.

Cultivate Motivation

What makes the “growth mindset” so winsome is that it creates a passion for learning, rather than a hunger for approval (Dweck, 2007).

The word ‘yet’ implies that something hasn’t occurred or happened at present. It’s like being stuck until you reach the final point.

In a brighter perspective, this word suggests one to become better when it finally comes up.

It has a catalytic effect on motivating oneself to achieve optimal success and improvement.

It sets you in a light mood and frees your mind from presentation anxiety, making you more confident and motivated.

Getting There

All things grow through application and experience.

Don’t let the ‘Can’t Do it Yet’ mindset stop you from reaching your highest potential.

Instead, see it as a tool for creating greater possibilities to climb the presentation ladder.

Wash the negativities away and focus on the positive things to come.

Put some extra effort to nurture your public speaking skills.

Always remain motivated to keep a steady pace and to ensure growth and success.

References

Britton, Kathryn. “I can’t do it. Yet.” Positive Psychology News. June 18, 2014. Accessed November 2, 2015.
Popova, Maria. “Fixed vs. Growth: The Two Basic Mindsets That Shape Our Lives.” Brain Pickings. n.d. Accessed November 2, 2015.

Featured Image: “September 13, 2013.” by Arya Ziai on flickr.com