The annoying thing about "You make it look so easy"!

"Oh you make it look so easy!".

I hear this fairly often when people see me speak in public, and wanted to let you know, it was absolutely not always this way.

When I was ten years old, I used to turn bright red in the face, get dry-mouthed, and my hands would shake uncontrollably.

That was in my first ever debate.

And while I was absolutely terrified (of everything), I was almost immediately addicted to the rush of having to get my words together, to make my case, to tell even a scary room what I thought.

I often look back and feel so grateful to a teacher, Mr Ross, who suggested I try debating and who patiently taught me its nuts and bolts.

But also - telling someone that they make it look easy isn't the compliment you might think it is.

Whatever the skill, it usually takes many years to develop something to the point where it appears effortless.

Acknowledging that fact is to me a much deeper compliment: it says, Thank you for seeing me and the journey I've taken to get here.

If you're after some help supercharging the way you present, I have a little present for you in the form of my downloadable (and free!) presentation checklist: