PRECIOUS SECONDS

Precious Seconds

Watch a TED Talk and notice what happens in the beginning. These seconds are precious and there’s no time for dilly-dallying. There’s no time for announcements or thank-yous or anything else.*

When you speak, these are the precious seconds.

When we meet a stranger, we have the principle of first impressions. In psychology, it’s called “primacy,” and it indicates that we have the tendency to remember what happens first.

It’s the Taylor Swift line, “sacred new beginnings.”

When you speak, the opening minute is the most important moment. If there’s any time to stress over your content, it’s that first minute. Plan, scheme, stress, cross-reference, rethink it, pray about it because it really is a make-or-break scenario.

The precious seconds are the moments an audience is deciding to trust you or to tolerate you. They’re deciding if they’ll “go” with you. Will they follow you into combat or will they merely nod their heads politely?

When you speak, don’t squander this opportunity. You only get one shot at the precious seconds.

(*My favorites are Meg Jay, Mike Rowe, Amy Cuddy, Shawn Achor)