We have all been there… You work hard to prepare for the big day. The success of the moment rests on your shoulders. You are focused and determined to make this presentation powerful and persuasive. And then… something goes terribly wrong. It doesn’t work out the way you anticipated. You leave bewildered and in shock at the disappointment. What now?
This weekend there was an upset in the world of tennis. Rafael Nadal, the four-time defending champion and favorite to win the French Open, was defeated by Robin Soderling. And that’s not all. Nadal has declined attending the AEGON Championships this week at Queen’s Club due to knee problems. Now the world is waiting to hear weather or not Nadal will be attending Wimbledon.
While Nadal is working on his physical recovery, there is no doubt that he and his team are working diligently on his mental recovery. It is hard to bounce back from a difficult and depressing defeat. However, if Nadal is unable to get back into peak mental fitness, then there is little hope for a victory at Wimbledon.
The mental game after disappointment is important in both sports and public speaking. You cannot let one moment ruin your future efforts. While Nadal took a crushing blow at the French Open, I can guarantee you that he will be playing again soon. Unfortunately I cannot say this about most speakers who experience a similar disappointment and embarrassment after a speech-gone-wrong. All to often people avoid future speaking opportunities because they let one moment define them.
So what is Nadal telling himself to get back in the right frame of mind? What can you tell yourself to move beyond a bad speech? Here are a few options to choose from:
- I define this moment, it does not define me.
- I am grateful for the lessons that I learned from this experience. This will help me grow and become better in the future.
- While there were disappointing aspects to this situation, I can still find things I did well and be proud of them.
- I am stronger and more powerful now that I am fueled by this experience.
- The only meaning that comes from this experience is the meaning I give it.
- I will not cower away from this experience. Instead, I am determined to face it, learn from it, and grow as an individual because of it.
- I am driven to focus and prepare for the next opportunity and not allow this situation to cloud my thoughts.
What else can you tell yourself to improve your mental fitness recovery after a bad speech?
Interesting… But what sign on novelties of the news?