Peter Fletcher

  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact

Sunday reflections: A run, Pink Floyd and a presentation

March 2, 2014 by Peter Fletcher

People running

There’s a direct relationship between a healthy lifestyle and success.
Image: Josiah Mackenzie http://www.flickr.com/photos/josiahmackenzie/

Today I presented a 45 minute keynote entitled 6 Things to do that will help you succeed despite the odds. The audience was LED Electrical Distributors. They have outlets in Perth, Kalgoorlie and Esperance.

I spent most of yesterday preparing. I sweated over the images and the contents and the bullet points – or lack thereof. I deleted nearly every slide at least once. Then added them back in. Then deleted them. I was like a cricketer who couldn’t work out whether run or not. Yes, no, wait.

Gahhhh!

I finally settled on what I thought was a pretty good slide deck – 9 slides and only one with bullet points. But – and I always do this – I leave the finishing touches to the day of the presentation. The looming deadline seems to sharpens my focus.

That meant an early start this morning to polish, check and write my speakers bio. By the time I’d finished I was feeling sharp and ready.

I checked the time. There was still enough for the 5 k run I promised to make yesterday. I threw on my Asics then I was out the door, up the hill and around the corner.

For the first couple of k’s I was on top of the world. My breathing was steady and rhythmic. And then it hit me. I’d gone out too hard. For the rest of the run I felt like was running through treacle.

But right near the end something magical happened. With about 300 metres to go my legs suddenly felt free and loose and relaxed. My stride lengthened, my speed picked up and it all felt pretty awesome.

Now that I’d delivered on my promise it was time to get ready. But now I had a problem. I usually run first thing in the morning so by the time I’m getting dressed for work I’ve cooled down. Not today.

By the time I hit the road the day had already warmed up to bloody hot. Now, as I walked through the front door, cheeks red, dripping in sweat I was faced with the dilemma of how I was ever going to cool down enough so I can I pull on a shirt and pants.

I jump in for a cold shower. That oughta do the trick.

Well it did – sort of – until I towelled off. Then it was straight back to the sweat factory. I’m sweating like a camper who’s just found a snake in their sleeping bag. It just wouldn’t stop.

So I pull on a pair of jocks, crank up the ceiling fans under the patio and wait for the breeze to do its thing. Finally, I cooled down enough to pull on the work gear and head for the door.

The drive to The Vines is just long enough to listen to the Disk 1 of The Wall by Pink Floyd. It’s one of my favourite albums. I just love cranking up the volume and getting lost in the angst about unhealthy relationships with authority figures that pour through the lyrics.

Hush now baby, baby, dont you cry.
Mother’s gonna make all your nightmares come true.
Mother’s gonna put all her fears into you.
Mother’s gonna keep you right here under her wing.
She wont let you fly, but she might let you sing.
Mama will keep baby cozy and warm.
Ooooh baby ooooh baby oooooh baby,
Of course mama’ll help to build the wall.

After all that, the presentation went well. Of course there are parts that I want to do better: the transition between points, the way that the two main stories work together, timing (I could’ve gone a little longer) and my conclusion – they all need work.

But overall I was happy with the way I presented and it made me smile when I heard a lady say, “That was brilliant!”

Take a moment to share:

  • Tweet
  • Email

Related posts:

  1. Reflections on today Today I made no discernible progress towards achieving my 2014...
  2. The 5000/365 Report – Sunday Jan 30 January is nearly over and my blogging and stair-climbing is...
  3. An unforgettable person The baby dresses still hang in my mother’s wardrobe. They’ve...
  4. 5 rules for a great presentation On Wednesday I presented to an audience of 30 real...
  5. My 2011 challenges – 5000/365 This year I’m setting myself two challenges. One’s physical, the...

Filed Under: Personal Tagged With: journal, Pink Floyd, public speaking, running

Comments

  1. Stephen Chip says

    March 2, 2014 at 9:56 pm

    Thanks for sharing your thought about what the pre-presentation warm up looked like. I think anyone who has presented can relate.

    I too have listened to music to get pumped up and to relax.

    Even without nearing your presentation I love the slide deck. Words I needed to hear. Thanks!

  2. Peter Fletcher says

    March 2, 2014 at 10:05 pm

    Thanks big fella. Hope all is well on your side of the world. 🙂

  3. Belinda says

    March 3, 2014 at 9:44 am

    I hope the stats on this blog are off the richter .

    So so so funny. Love it 🙂

  4. Peter Fletcher says

    March 3, 2014 at 11:10 am

    Not sure about the stats. At least I know there’s been two readers. What more could I ask?!

About Peter

Speaker, trainer and coach. I write about living, loving and working better. Love a challenge. More...

Subscribe

Get the latest posts delivered to your inbox.

Recent Posts

  • The Perth Property Market: Free Drinks For Everyone
  • Perth Property Market Performance – W/E 22 August 2021
  • Perth property market report
  • Mandating madness: The case against compulsory e-conveyancing
  • PEXA: Stop treating conveyancers like idiots

Top Posts & Pages

  • Foucault on Confession
  • Why saying "You've got potential" can be the worst thing to say
  • Home Page
  • Foucault on power relations
  • Deconstructing queer theory | Steven Seidman
  • The panspectron: Panopticon improved?
  • My bounce rate is too high and what I'm doing about it
  • 7 unconventional behaviours of inspiring leaders
  • Who owns the client data in your business?
  • The Washnigtonienne and what this blog may mean

Location

You can find me at Residential Settlements in Burswood.

5/170 Burswood Road
Burswood WA 6100

Let’s catch up

If you're ready to take your business to the next level, get in touch with me now.

Send me an email using the contact form or call me direct on 0419 538 838.

Connect

Connect with me on one of these social networks.
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • LinkedIn
  • Tumblr
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2022 · Agency Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in