It’s a Paradox.

You have to give everything you have when you prepare. You have to have a message that is clear and relevant for your Audience. You need to do the appropriate research. You have to structure your Presentation in a way that makes it easy to understand. You need to practice to ensure that your presentation or speech flows smoothly.

You have to give everything you have when you deliver. You have to take the stage with energy and enthusiasm for the topic. You need to speak loud enough, with good vocal variety and appropriate body language.

And then …

You have to let it go and move on. That’s right … let it go and move on.

This is the paradox with which all speakers must become comfortable.

And it’s not easy.

For a long time, I used to replay my speeches and presentations in my head, relishing the good things and bemoaning the bad. But then I realized … it’s a mistake.

Yes, we should definitely debrief afterwards and take any useful lessons from the experience. The only way in which we will improve is by learning from our mistakes.

But then we need to let it go and move on.

You know who’s thinking, right now, about that presentation you gave a couple of months ago? No one! (Except you, perhaps.) People have other things to worry about.

That presentation is in the past.

Time to focus on the next one.

Time to move on.

Because your audience already has.