Tunnel Vision

I have always considered repetition an immensely valuable tool in creating effective speeches.  Our reading on TED talks only backed up this thought and I have found it useful first hand.  However, seldom do I practice in the same exact setting with similar amounts of pressure as the final presentation.  I trust my content and my abilities to convey my message, but tend to get lost in the repetition—the very thing that gives me strength and confidence—in that I focus only on getting my speeches perfect.  In short, repetition is invaluable, but also (in my case) promotes tunnel vision.

This tunnel vision leads me to my more apparent weaknesses in my presentations.  My lack of consistent eye contact serves as my largest flaw, though is only part of my larger problem.  I find myself wrapped up in my presentations to the point where I forgot to hold on to the remote during my civic artifact speech.  Concentrating on my words the way in which I practiced allowed me to specify my points, but surely hurt my delivery.

I could improve my comfort and eye contact by going to the exact room at which I will present.  For example, I should have used the our classroom to get used to the environment prior to the final presentation.  Furthermore, I need to put less stress on repetition and more on connecting with the audience.