Distractions: Are they Getting Your Message?

No, not your voicemail or email messages! I am referring to the message or “information” in your speeches and ‘they’ refer to your audience members.

One of several definitions of “distraction” is “mental confusion” and that is exactly what happens when a speaker creates an environment where an audience member “turns off their brain” and loses interest – which is a big negative in the public speaking world! 

I attended a training session for a volunteer organization recently where the speaker used a pointer – one of those gadgets that is intended to enhance a presentation (not harm it).

Using the pointer did help me understand where he was on a slide; however, when he wasn’t pointing at a slide, he tapped the pointer in the other hand while he spoke. Not only was the “tap tap tap” very annoying, but I began watching the pointer bounce up and down on his other hand. The faster he spoke, the faster the pointer bounced to where the only thing that I began to concentrate on was the pointer and I started to feel a bit dizzy! Finally, I gave up and he lost me; not a good thing to let happen to any speaker!

The one positive note was that he handed out an evaluation form at the beginning of the session to get feedback from everyone. Yeah! Toastmasters are big on evaluations and I hope what I provided him will help him be aware of his pen-tapping habit (which I am sure he didn’t even realize he was doing at the time.)

Remember: distractions that can wipe out an audience faster than a windshield wiper on a rainy day!  What are distractions? Below are several that you might have observed:

-Twirling an item in your hand (pen, pencil, or pointer).
-Pacing back and forth.
-Looking at the ceiling or the floor.
-Noisy jewelry (bracelets or earrings).
-Hands in pockets.
-Rocking on feet.
-Adjusting glasses, clothes, or hair.
-Making continuous noises while speaking (coughing, hard sniffs or throat clearing).

A repetitive behavior can be a sign of nervousness.

Whenever you are front of a group of people or a large audience be aware that any kind of repetitive motion (fast or slow) or noise (loud or soft) will be much more pronounced and will take away from your message. You want your audience to remember what you said and not an annoying habit.

Here’s a tip: If you are confident and well prepared to give your presentation, you won’t let those pesky distractions get in the way of your valuable message!

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