Present Like a Fighting Monk

Can you be truly in the moment?

The Shao Lin monks are devout, highly disciplined martial arts experts attempting to attain enlightenment. Their daily life may seem a million miles away from yours and your boring Powerpoint* presentation on Thursday, but – despite being in a very different situation to you – here’s how their approach to life can be applied to a presentation. The Shao Lin monks:

1. are dedicated to helping others.
2. have no ego; they’re not afraid of failure or what others think of them.
3. can adapt instantly when fighting, instinctively drawing on thousands of practised techniques.
4. have no attachment to physical things.
5. see joy in every situation.

This highly virtuous combination can be applied to your boring Powerpoint* presentation on Thursday:

1. Think of the best way to help your audience: give them something really useful.
2. As long as you’ve prepared correctly, don’t worry about looking silly.
3. Expect the unexpected; whatever it is, just roll with it, and remember your structure.
4. Avoid Powerpoint/Prezi unless absolutely necessary; be creative. Be the hero, not the sidekick.
5. Remove the pressure and try to enjoy the whole thing.

So there you have it. If you can be in the moment, fluid, and try to let go of Powerpoint and all your insecurities to truly liberate yourself, Thursday will be a lot more enjoyable than you think, for everyone involved.

*your Powerpoint may be a thing of beauty, but they’re often boring.