Do you read this blog to improve your presentation skills? Why do you improve any skill? I’m interested in this topic because I’m always trying to get people to improve their skills, but I know that many people stay where they are.
As the result of a conversation a while back with Olivia Mitchell, I’m looking for the motivation for change and improvement. Is it internal? External? Does it depend on the circumstances?
I’d like you to think of one or more specific times that you took a course, read a book, practiced a skill (to improve it), researched a skill, and so on — any skill. What drove you to take that action?
- Did someone tell you to? (Boss, spouse, friend?)
- Do you constantly look for ways to improve your skills just because you like to?
- Did you get some negative feedback?
- Did you see someone with an awesome skill and get inspired to match it?
- Did you just happen read or hear something that inspired you to improve the skill?
- Something else?
Also, what has stopped you from improving a skill that you know could stand some improvement?
- Lack of time?
- The cost was too high?
- Never felt motivated enough?
- Something else?
Please leave a comment and let me know!
I’ve been thinking about this same topic, Ellen, so I’m glad you brought it up. My inspiration is Dr. Ben Carson, who wrote his memoir “Gifted Hands” which was made into an outstanding movie starring Cuba Gooding, Jr. Dr. Carson started out an “F” student in elementary school. He improved himself to the point he is now the leading pediatric neurosurgeon in the world. How is that for making a change for the better?! His book shares many of the tips and strategies he has employed for outstanding success. I am following his principles to help the outstanding EMDR therapists… Read more »
When you see a sad movie you shed a tear. But when the sad movie becomes part of your life you cry an ocean. Circumstance is like the ignition on your car it gets turned on. Do you sit and idle? Do you drive downhill into the abyss? Or do you drive up the hill to explore new horizons? Twenty five years ago I went through a divorce. With that experience I gained a desire to learn everything I could about finance and passed the series 7 stockbroker test. Two years ago I was laid off from my job as… Read more »
One of the things that motivates me to make changes is a dissatisfaction with the status quo or perhaps a sense of boredom. I also think people have a natural competitiveness that inspires them to dig deeper, try harder or do something better.
On the other hand, I resist change if I feel that the time and effort to learn something new or different will be more of a distraction than an improvement. That’s a particular concern now with technology changes is every aspect of life. There are cases when a pretty good method that works is good enough.
What motivates me to change and improve is an internal desire to do the best I can in all my endeavors.
When I realize that I can do better work by improving my presentation skills, I strive to learn and apply what the experts suggest to capture and maintain an audience’s attention in order to to deliver an accurate message that cannot be misunderstood, one that enables audience recall and application when needed.
When I haven’t improved a skill that I knew needed improvement, typical factors have been time and cost.
It is simply more fun and interesting to go through life improving. when you speak better, you get more opportunities to speak, travel, make money, meet people. It is a cycle of virtue.
Great comments! I’m seeing that many of you are self-motivated. The desire to change and improve comes from within. And I think that’s the best and most effective seat of change. But what can we do to nudge people who are stuck in the habit of giving poor presentations? Or doing anything poorly, fohttp://www.ellenfinkelstein.com/pptblog/wp-admin/edit-comments.php?p=425#comments-formr that matter?
We can only do what we can do when it comes to “nudging”…and it depends on the person and what motivates her/him. Nudging can be interpreted as pushing, leading, or even stepping on someone’s toes. So you need to tailor your delivery, because one obviously can’t be pushed AND led at the same time. If you’re going to nudge, be careful because unless a nudge is requested, you’re only offering unsolicited advice.
Tobi, yes it depends on the situation, but I do believe that one SHOULD offer unsolicited advice. If you see someone doing something in an ineffective way, such as presenting, it isn’t kindness to say nothing. You try to nicely and constructively help. If the person won’t accept the help, you can just say, “Well, if you ever want some help with this, let me know, I’m available” and drop it. On the other hand, if the person reports to you, it’s your job to go further than that and make sure that the person improves. You get the person… Read more »
Like you I find these questions interesting. Personally I’ve always believed in “becoming the best possible version of myself”. If one don’t grow, then what do one do? In my job I deal with 19-22 year old students that are working towards qualifications. While with some I unfortunately have no clue why they bothered studying as they seem to not be interested at all, I find the efforts of others to become skilled absolutely amazing and very inspirational. I find that group open to unsolicited advice; in fact it appears that they appreciate it. I’ve come to the conclusion that… Read more »