When we were kids, we were told many things over and over again.
“Liars never prosper.”
“Do unto others…”
“Don’t run in the house!”
Although we may have never been explicitly told to strive for excellence, it was probably implied in everything our mothers and fathers attempted to teach us. Their advice took root – and it didn’t.
We were probably all smart kids. We understood the rules and saw all the angles. As a result, we applied ourselves 110% where it suited our needs and passions: recess, writing, music, football, having a good time. Where classes were concerned, we did well, but not that well. In short, we did what we needed to do when we had to do it. Our philosophy said, “Why work for an A when I can slack my way to a B?” Little did we know that the happiness and fulfillment we sought in shirking responsibilities was actually to be found at the opposite pole.
All the best things in life are drawn to excellence.
Aristotle said that we live most happily when we live most excellently, Bill and Ted. This excellence doesn’t come from The Fates, it comes to us by choice and by effort. Happiness – it seems – is a full contact sport. Happiness is about striving for our goals, while we maintain a dynamic relationship with our changing environment. We must learn to sail quickly and clearly to our destinations, while also weathering the storms that life will inevitably throw our way.
What does all of this have to do with presentations?
The way you approach your presentation is a reflection of the way you’re living the rest of your life. Are we shaken to the core with anxiety at the idea of presenting? Perhaps we also get a case of the sweats every time we see that girl who you are completely in love with – despite the fact that we don’t have the guts to speak with her. Did we assemble a pile of assets for our presentation, picking and choosing absentmindedly, unwilling to invest our full attention? Maybe this is how we approach our relationships, the other aspects of our career, our diet? Conversely, if we are the kind of people who focus on every slide, making it the best it can be, we’re probably the kind of people who makes our husbands feel like the luckiest men in the world when spending a fun weekend together. If we prepare ourselves to present to the point where we can kill the room with nothing but our voices and bodies, we’re probably the kind of father’s who keep up with their kid’s progress in school and make time for that all-important game of catch.
The little things we do – presentations – reflect the bigger things – life. However, within that formula is another revelation. Why not use your presentation as a primer of sorts? Use your next presentation as an exercise in excellence! Focus on the details, every single one. Go the extra mile. Volunteer to be the presenter in a group project, volunteer to run to the store to pick up those extra batteries, take the extra time to seek out information on sites like this and teach your colleagues all the great tips you learn.
You will have the best presentation you’ve ever created. You will also take on a natural leadership position among your peers as your energy will increase and your total commitment will be inspiring to those around you. When you see these amazing results, you won’t be able to stop, and you’ll want to apply yourself more fully in the other aspects of your life.
When we think of excellence, we think of work, responsibility, effort and any number of tiresome words we may associate with exhaustion and overwhelm. Why not change your mind about excellence. But don’t take our word for it, remember Aristotle’s formula:
Excellence = Happiness!
