How To Rehearse Anything | Kerri Garbis | TEDxUNCPembroke

Summary

The speaker shares personal anecdotes and insights about the power of rehearsal in building confidence, structure, and emotional control. From breaking up with boyfriends as a tween to guiding business professionals in presentations, rehearsal is highlighted as a vital tool for preparation. With a focus on three steps—getting it off the page, getting it in your body, and getting it on the stage—the speaker emphasizes that rehearsal isn't just for actors but for anyone aiming to effectively communicate. The process helps manage emotions, strengthen delivery, and enhance clarity, making it an essential practice for all.

Takeaways

• 😀 Rehearsal is essential for boosting confidence, especially in situations like public speaking, presentations, and even difficult personal tasks, like breaking up with someone.
• 😀 Preparation is key: know what you're going to say and get your content together before rehearsing.
• 😀 Rehearsing out loud, especially in three key steps (off the page, in your body, and on the stage), helps organize thoughts and manage emotions.
• 😀 Step 1: Off the page – Focus on structuring your message clearly, with a clear beginning, middle, and end, or key points for presentations.
• 😀 Step 2: In your body – Add delivery techniques, including body language, timing, breath support, and pacing, which help reinforce your message.
• 😀 Step 3: On the stage – Do a complete rehearsal in a simulated real environment, without stopping, to build comfort and adaptability for unexpected situations.
• 😀 Rehearsal can help you overcome performance anxiety by preparing you to handle challenges in real-time, whether it’s a technical failure or unexpected interruptions.
• 😀 Studies show that a lack of rehearsal is a major cause of public speaking anxiety, and rehearsing significantly improves confidence and emotional control.
• 😀 Rehearsing might be time-consuming and difficult, but it allows you to be more present, freeing up mental space to focus on connecting with your audience.
• 😀 Rehearsal is not just for actors – it’s a useful tool for anyone who needs to communicate effectively, from public speaking to personal situations.
• 😀 Rehearsal can also help manage emotions in challenging situations, like delivering a eulogy, allowing people to stay composed while still being authentic.

Q & A

Why did the speaker's sister avoid giving bad news or making others uncomfortable?

The speaker's sister didn’t like giving people bad news or asking uncomfortable questions. This characteristic showed up in childhood, where she would avoid directly addressing difficult situations, often passing the responsibility to the speaker.

How did the speaker help her sister when she was a child?

The speaker would help her sister by taking on difficult tasks, such as asking the server to correct an order at a restaurant or breaking up with her sister's boyfriends. The speaker was often voluntold to handle uncomfortable situations.

What made the speaker confident enough to break up with someone on behalf of her sister?

The speaker became confident through rehearsal. She practiced what she would say, reviewed the message with her sister, and then rehearsed the conversation out loud, which helped her gain confidence in delivering difficult messages.

How does rehearsal benefit business professionals according to the speaker?

Rehearsal helps business professionals by boosting confidence, improving organization, and managing emotions. It allows individuals to be prepared for their presentations, which reduces anxiety and helps them deliver their messages effectively.

What did the speaker find when surveying business professionals about rehearsal?

The survey revealed that 100% of respondents found rehearsal helpful in terms of confidence, organization, and managing emotions. Over half rated rehearsal as extremely helpful for building confidence and organizing their thoughts.

What are the key steps to rehearse anything effectively?

The key steps to rehearse effectively are: 1) Get it off the page, focusing on the structure. 2) Get it in your body, focusing on delivery and timing. 3) Get it on the stage, focusing on doing it without stopping.

What is the importance of saying content out loud during rehearsal?

Saying content out loud is crucial because it helps solidify the message in your mind, helps with delivery, and ensures the structure is clear. This process also aids in building muscle memory for better performance.

Why does the speaker recommend standing and moving while rehearsing?

Standing and moving while rehearsing engages the body, which improves brain function, enhances memory, and helps with the delivery of the message. It also creates muscle memory that can make the content easier to recall during actual presentations.

What does the speaker mean by 'get it on the stage' during rehearsal?

'Get it on the stage' means performing your rehearsal in a real or simulated setting, without stopping, to simulate the actual event. This allows you to practice handling unexpected issues, like technical difficulties, while staying focused and continuing with the presentation.

What is the significance of practicing beginnings, endings, and transitions in rehearsal?

Beginnings, endings, and transitions are key parts of a presentation. Strong beginnings capture attention, strong endings leave a lasting impact, and smooth transitions ensure the flow of ideas. Practicing these elements helps prevent getting lost or stuck during communication.