How To Focus Attention

Too much to do? No time to do it? You’re not alone.

Participants are often overloaded, overworked, and distracted. As a presenter, it’s up to you to focus their attention. By giving clear directions, you can help participants remember your message, decide to take action, and know what action to take.

Use these 3 tips so you can give clear directions to your audience, so they know exactly what step to take next.

Tip 1: Decide On A Single Action

Focus on a single action you want your audience to take. Don’t mush things up by giving three or ten possible actions. It will only confuse your audience.

If you have two, twelve, or twenty – no one will know what to do.

Pick one action.

Tip 2: State The Action In Simple Terms

It’s easy to understand and remember simple terms. When you state directions in simple terms, participants get it. And it’s easy for them to remember what to do.

Speak plain English. Hint: use short and simple sentences.

Tip 3: Use Active Language

Active words ignite action. Passive words encourage sitting.

You want your audience to jump into action. Your goal is to create an active environment focused on results.

Now is the time for active verbs, active terms, and dynamic language.

Clients often tell me their concerns and objections about giving simple directions to inspire action. These usually run along the lines of:

• Is this too simplistic?

• Is this right for my highly educated audience?

• Is this going to make me look dumb?

The answer is no.

When you give clear, focused directions, you are helping your audience. They instantly know what to do next. This is appropriate for audiences of every educational level.

Here’s what you can expect. It is going to make you look smart. Very, very smart. Especially when people get results.