Practice vs. Rehearsal: What’s the Difference?
“Four times and you own it.” This is the rule of thumb I give my clients when they ask me: “How can I own my material? How can know I will be able to remember my central points? How will I achieve CONTROL over my material?”
Simple: Four times and you own it.
First, what does “ownership” mean? It is a “feeling” of being at one with the message, of feeling comfortable with the FLOW of the message, of knowing you can recover if you get off message, because you have neuropathically grooved the message in your brain.
There is something “magical” about using your brain, your vocal mechanism–teeth, jaw, tongue, throat–your gestures, and your words–all together–in order to create a complete package of CONTROL.
So what practice is not: it is not whispering the presentation while driving, mouthing it while showering, thinking it right before you go to bed. It is SPEAKING it, as you will be doing in front of your audience. You do not whisper your message in front of your audience members; therefore, you will not practice in a way that you will not use in the actual circumstance of your presentation….or meeting…or project update…or high stakes conversation with your boss.
That is the “practice” part of your preparation. Saying the message aloud and gaining “ownership” of the intricacies of using all your tools: voice, verbal message, and nonverbal message.
The “rehearsal” part is different in that here you try to find a similar “space”–or stage–as the actual environment you will be speaking in. If you are lucky, you can actually rehearse in the “real” space of your presentation–to test the sound level, to see the space you will be delivering in, to “own” the environment of your presentation and to visualize for our brain what you will be “facing.” Create as few surprises for your eyes, ears, and brain as possible.
In “rehearsal” you do not stop for for mistakes. If possible, bring someone with you to take notes as you present, with a feedback/analysis briefing afterwards. If this is not possible, remind yourself as you go along and then try again. Four times and you own it.
When practicing, you may start and stop, self correct, and continue. In rehearsal, wear the clothes you will be wearing for the presentation to see if you are comfortable, to feel if the shoes are the right height, to catch the movement of the clothing as you make your expansive gestures.
In rehearsal, go through from start to finish without dropping out of your “Zone” (see previous blog entries). Do not react to mistakes: press on (an old theatre term. If the audience doesn’t notice it, it didn’t happen.)
Most presenters do not take the time (not “have the time” but “take the time”) to rehearse. In fact, most presenters do not take the time to “practice.” They throw their Power Points together and then read them–the ultimate insult to an audience.
So I suggest you have the self discipline and commitment to do both practice and rehearse. You will feel more confident, and your audience will be able to tell the difference!
