You’ve been preparing for an important presentation. You’ve written out your remarks and rehearsed them over and over. By the time the big day arrives, you feel confident—after all, you’ve said the same thing a dozen times already.
Then, something unexpected happens. Maybe the technology falters, or the audience asks a question that throws off your timing. Suddenly, the steady flow of your presentation gets disrupted, and you find yourself scrambling to get back on track. Your well-rehearsed presentation now feels more like a script you’re struggling to stick to.
Why does rehearsing a presentation the same way every time cause problems?
Situations like this happen when we get too attached to delivering a presentation the exact way we’ve rehearsed it. While practicing the same way might make us feel prepared, it can also trap us into recalling our remarks in only one way. And when the real-world presentation inevitably differs from the perfect scenario you’ve prepared for, that rigidity works against you.
Think of it this way. This rigidity in rehearsal is like a river that gets deeper and narrower the more often you practice the same way. When you first start rehearsing a presentation, it’s like a shallow stream of water flowing over the ground. The path the water takes is wide and open to possibilities. But as you practice the exact same way over and over again, that stream begins to carve out a more defined channel. The water flows in a very specific way. By the time you've recited your remarks multiple times, that channel is so deep that the water (your presentation) can only go in one direction.
This is the danger. The more you rely on practicing the same way, the more pressure you put on yourself to deliver the presentation exactly how you’ve rehearsed it. And when something unexpected happens—when the flow is interrupted—you find yourself stuck in that narrow and deep gorge, unable to adapt to the new situation.
What is the role of neuroplasticity in presentation preparation?
This isn’t just a useful metaphor—it’s grounded in the science of neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity refers to the brain's ability to form and reorganize connections, or neural pathways, in response to learning and experience. When you rehearse your presentation the same way every time, your brain strengthens a specific neural pathway. Think of it like creating a mental “shortcut”—your brain gets used to recalling and repeating the same pattern of words. Just like forming a habit, rehearsing in the same way creates a fixed channel in your brain, strengthening that one neural pathway and making it harder to adjust when things go off-script.
While this approach makes it easier for you to deliver a presentation from memory, it also limits your flexibility. The brain becomes reliant on that one path, making it harder to adapt if you need to change course. When something interrupts the flow during the actual presentation, your memory can become a stumbling block rather than an asset. You might freeze or struggle because your brain was only prepared for one fixed pathway.
What are some tips for rehearsing a presentation effectively?
If you engage multiple neural pathways during practice, you can increase your chances of delivering a successful presentation. Here are three tips to help you create flexibility in your preparation.
Practice Rehearsing Your Remarks Differently Each Time: The goal isn’t to memorize a script but to remember your key points. Each time you rehearse, allow yourself to use different phrasing or explanations. This helps your brain stay flexible, focusing on the meaning of what you're saying rather than the exact words. By varying how you express your ideas, you avoid the trap of a “fixed channel” and can adapt more easily when presenting in real time.
Switch Up the Order and Starting Points: Don’t always rehearse your presentation in the same order. Change the sequence of your points, or start from different places in your presentation. For example, begin in the middle or practice your closing first. This forces your brain to rely on understanding the flow of ideas, rather than getting comfortable with repetition. It prepares you to seamlessly pick up where you left off, even if you’re interrupted or need to adjust the order during the actual presentation.
Engage Multiple Senses During Rehearsal: Engage your visual and auditory senses by practicing in different environments. Try presenting in front of a mirror, recording yourself and listening back, or explaining your presentation to a friend or colleague. Engaging different senses activates multiple areas of the brain, which helps create stronger, more flexible connections between ideas and memories
Next time you’re preparing for a presentation, resist the urge to rely on rigid repetition. Instead, let your practice be dynamic and varied, like water flowing through new channels each time. This will not only help you feel more flexible and confident, it will also prepare you to handle any twists and turns that may arise with ease.
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