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Hi from Cécile & Happy New Year!

Are you into New Year's Resolutions? I am not.

Instead, I opt for something else. Something that is more meaningful and sustainable.

Choices and commitments.

I've recently read an article about how you can quantify & visualize your choices and path towards what you want to achieve.

So, take a paper. January 1st, you are in the middle left edge of the paper.

With any positive action or decision, you can make a small upward arrow.

With every choice that held you back, it's a small downward arrow.

In the end, it looks like a big tree branch with smaller branches, some facing up, some facing down.

- Every right priority or decision will lean the branch upwards towards what you want to achieve. For example, you had the opportunity to deliver 2 presentations, and both of them went well. That was a good practice that kept your ball rolling. Or perhaps you started working on your body language while speaking in the mirror. Thumbs up!

- Any wrongdoings or inaction will bring it downwards. For example, you turned down an opportunity for a big corporate presentation (because of stress and tight schedules) or did not follow up with your presentation skills coach for a few more sessions (it happens a lot, trust me).

The last arrow of the branch will show whether you did well overall. What matters is the final position and direction of your "branch".

If you did well, your branch will end up top right. If not, bottom right. Or somewhere in between...

This is your path

It may sound complicated, but it's not. It's about the power and importance of choices (the small ones and the big ones).

And how committed you are to them throughout the year (or any other given period, like a week or even a day).

So, instead of grandiose goals about your presentation skills, opt for making the right choices (= how to maximize the impact of your presentations) and commit to them.

This will get you far in 2024 and beyond...

Speaking of impact, let me show you how to measure the impact of your presentations by using 3 simple levels!

✔️ First, you must reflect on how things literally went during the presentation. Was your PowerPoint on point & to the point? Did the equipment work? Did you say what you had to say? It’s about what you give to your audience.

✔️ The second level is about what your audience receives. Did they understand what you said? Was it engaging? Did you persuade them to buy it? How did your sayings make them feel?

✔️ The third and most crucial level of impact is action. Did you have a clear goal for your presentation? Did you achieve it? What did you want the audience to do next? Did they do it or do they plan to do it?

Need help with making the right choices?

You just have to ask yourself the right questions and answer honestly. Watch my short video below to find out the questions I use for myself (and you should, too!)

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