Gabby Douglas says focus is the key

In an interview she gave after winning the Women’s Gymnastics 2012 All Around Gold Medal in the Olympics, Gabby said she’d had to learn to focus on what she was doing rather than on the clock, the other participants, who was in the stands and a myriad of other distractions. She obviously learned it and it paid off.

Focus is the key to doing almost anything well. Including speaking to a group–in person, in a conference call, or a remote presentation. There’s so much that may allow ourselves to be distracted by–who’s in the audience, worrying about remembering the material, trying to look good, comparing yourself to another, your notes, your slides, the technology and more.

If you want your own Gold Medal in speaking, take a page from Gabby’s book and learn how to focus on accomplishing your purpose. Being the in the moment pays off big time.