I have a problem remembering things (Brain Fog) .

I have a problem remembering things (Brain Fog) . My job require me to do public speaking and I forget what to say while speaking to a audience about the program. The sad part I been at this job 8 years and I know this job from the back of my hand. I just laugh it off or crack a joke. I appreciate this discussion because this is Real....

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  1. Anonymous

    The key to public speaking is it is not so much what you memorize, it is that you practice to a level of familiarization and understanding that you can speak to things with ease and just reference bullet points on a slide.
    It is important to distinguish whether you are giving yourself the best scenario possible to prepare.

    Some tips include to once you put together your slides. Write to speaker notes exactly to the level of detail an style in how you are comfortable talking. Get a zoom link, pull up the slide deck and show the notes so you can practice over and over again doing a run through start to finish and time it to make sure what you speak to outloud at a comfortable cadence will be accomplished in the time desginated for the presentation.

    Depending on the amount of time you have, read through it notes in front of you outloud 20x

    Then practice 10x without your notes outloud without the notes, if you get stuck, don't stop, keep following through. Make note of your weak spots.

    Rotate back and forth between 20x reading notes in front and 10x without to train your mind to build the familiarization. If you go through this with concentration before your next presentation. Try and see if this helps. If you have not exposed the information to your brain frequently enough (and it can vary for others) to the point of familiarization its just practicing out loud and cycling thru with and without notes until your brain is familiar.

    If you are the type to think and analyze info and events a million miles a minute, this is another reason why you should invest time to do the above step. Writing out and rehearsing the notes over and over again will force your mind to organize your thoughts in a sequence appropriate for the presentation.

    Anxiety: If you typically get anxious, meditate and exercise, i.e. 30-45 min walk on the day of the presentation to help calm your nerves. Anxiety can make folks forgetful

    Nutrition: Research the benefits of magnesium (gel caps), Vitamin B (full range). Vitamin B deficiency is linked to memory loss, anxiety and depression. If you get enough protein for meat, you may be good. But if a vegan/vegetarian for an extended period of time, you could be deficient and not realize it.

  2. Stephanie Oatis

    Anonymous, Thanks for your feedback I will take this in consideration. Very helpful information.

  3. Crystal Howell

    I use postcards, nothing wrong with that.

  4. Stephanie Oatis

    Crystal, I will take this consideration as well. Thank you so much.

  5. Anonymous

    Yep.....mine pauses are due to getting older so I just explain them as my senior moments. The 20 somethings just laugh and say yeah my mom has those.

    You gotta love life's little shifts.

  6. Stephanie Oatis

    Lol. I agree. Thanks for your feedback.

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