What Presenters Can Learn From Olympic Athletes

The Olympics are incredibly inspiring. The best of the best from around the world come to compete for the ultimate prize. You watch people who have trained for years, reach deep down and give this moment everything they have.

Presenters can learn a lot from these amazing athletes.

— Take care of your most important tool
Athletes know that their body is their most powerful tool. When they have a competition coming up, they understand the importance of getting enough sleep, eating right, and treating their body with respect. For some reason, many presenters tend to forget this. If you want to be at the top of your game, you have to make sure you are preparing for it inside and out.

— Everyone has an off day
Even the best athletes have an off day. How you handle that disappointment will determine how quickly you can bounce back. You can either let it continue to discourage you, or you can take it as a learning opportunity and decide to get inspired by it.

— It takes a lot of work to craft a great performance
Olympic athletes work very hard to reach this point. They have taken the time to practice every single component of their performance, numerous times. You don’t want to walk up to the front of the room knowing you could have done more to prepare.

— Have a plan but be ready to adapt
Athletes enter a competition with a clear plan in mind. They know which jumps, spins and tricks they want to do. However, they have to be relaxed enough to deal with unexpected circumstances. This is important for a presenter to remember. Being able to stay calm and confident while you think on your feet is a valuable tool for any presenter.

— Enjoy the moment
Many Olympians have spoken about how important it is to take in this special moment. You only have so much control over the outcome of the event, but you do have control over how much you allow yourself to enjoy the opportunity. When you are presenting at an event, make sure you give yourself time to appreciate being there. You get to share your thoughts, opinions and hard work with an audience. Enjoy it.

​Author: Bri McWhorter
​© Activate to Captivate, LLC