When I'm the speaker, I know that special moment [just before speaking] is the only time I will have the entire audience's full attention. Unless an alien spaceship crash-lands on stage midway through the talk, the silence before I begin is the most powerful moment I have. What defines how well I'll do starts with how I use the power of that moment.
Scott BerkunInnovative ideas are rarely rejected on their merits; theyโre rejected because of how they make people feel. If you forget peopleโs concerns and feelings when you present an innovation, or neglect to understand their perspectives in your design, youโre setting yourself up to fail.
Scott BerkunMy intent is simply to know my material so well that I'm very comfortable with it. Confidence, not perfection, is the goal.
Scott BerkunIt's only through effort that we learn what an idea actually is, and if our passion for it will last or fade. There is no shame in failure - all makers fail. But it's hard to respect someone who never tries, even once, to do something good that's always on their mind. If you're worried about how good your idea is, you're worrying about the wrong thing.
Scott Berkun