We're all too often unaware of our annoying habits.
As I discovered, rather embarrassingly, last week.
But having said which…
I can understand this may be an irritating quirk of mine, but I think it’s a valuable one nonetheless.
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I was teaching commercial communication for part of the University of Cambridge.
Generally I don’t take my laptop, preferring to use the set up in the lecture theatre.
So I send the presentation over to the organisers a few days in advance, for them to load it up.
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That all sounds very prepared and professional, helps to reassure them I’m on the case…
And makes me feel well prepared too.
But!
As I'm compulsive with preparation and practice, I’ll rehearse the talk a couple of times on the day I’m due to give it…
Which is where my annoying habit strikes.
.
Inevitably, I’ll find a couple of areas which could be slightly improved.
So I’ll make the necessary tweaks, then send the new version of the presentation to the organiser…
Which is where my irritating behaviour was ruthlessly revealed.
.
Fortunately, she's a friend as well as a colleague, so was kind about the way she put it.
But essentially, the message was:
– you always do this.
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In fact, she went further.
She told me she never bothered to download my presentation until the day of the talk.
Because she knew I would be in touch that morning with an apology and a couple of minor revisions.
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I stared at her message for quite a while, before, with absolute horror realising…
OMG!
She was absolutely right.
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Even worse, I then started thinking about the number of people I must’ve done that to over the years…
And felt more than a little embarrassed.
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Now, however, a few days on, I have pretty much got over the shame.
I’ve (mostly) rationalised my annoying habit as a positive.
It just shows my commitment to doing the very best I can for any form of event.
That’s my story anyway, and I’m holding to it!
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Seriously speaking, if there's one golden secret to success in just about anything in life it's:
- preparation and practice.
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Having said which, if you should ever work with me, and you’re organising the event…
Here's a time (and nuisance) saving tip for you:
Don’t bother downloading my presentation until the day of the talk!
