Empty Practice Does Not Make Perfect: How to Avoid Stagnation
How to Avoid Mindless Repetition and Transform Your Rehearsals with Purposeful Techniques
When I was in my preparatory class for acting school, we rehearsed like crazy. But even with a ton of effort, we didn't improve one bit. Does it sound familiar to you?
The Problem: Repeating Mistakes
Day after day, we did our scenes over and over again, drilling the lines, the blocking, the places, the gestures, etc. The problem was not that we didn't work hard enough or lacked motivation.
The reason we didn't improve is that we just repeated the same delivery over and over without analysis.
Worse, we were anchoring our mistakes by repeating them so many times.
We didn't know how to break down a script, find the dramatic tension in a scene, and use that to guide how we spoke and moved. Most importantly, we had no idea what emotions we wanted to evoke in the audience as they watched us perform.
In short, we didn't have any method to our madness (to quote my favorite line of Hamlet).
The Solution: Effective Rehearsal Techniques
But it doesn't have to be that way for you. Here are some pointers for a beneficial practice session:
1. Set Clear Objectives
Know what you want to practice and focus on improving. Is it the script, the delivery, the gestures, or the sequencing? Each objective can be addressed with a different type of rehearsal.
For detailed techniques and tips, read my article on various types of rehearsal.
2. Work on Chunks, Analyze, and Reflect
Reflect on and analyze your performance. Work on small parts, try different approaches, or record yourself and review the video.
See my article for tips on analyzing videos of your talk without feeling awkward.
3. Embrace Experimentation
Experiment with speaking styles, pacing, and gestures. Exaggerate variations, speak super slowly or with a different tone, take a silly posture, and start your talk from that position... Connect to your inner child and have fun while rehearsing.
The whole point of rehearsal is to experiment in a safe space before performing in front of actual people. This helps you find the most effective way to convey your message.
4. Take Notes
Document your work session, for instance, in the margins of your script. This helps you remember important insights about your delivery.
5. Practice in Diverse Environments
Rehearse in various locations and settings to become more adaptable and comfortable. For example, you should be able to recite your script at x2 speed while doing unrelated tasks, like doing the dishes or folding your clothes.
6. Seek Feedback
Ask someone to watch your rehearsal and share their impressions. Ask them to tell you what they think your message was and what they took away from your talk. That way, you’ll ensure your key message is clear and memorable to your audience.
7. Take a Coach
Coaches offer a fresh perspective, identifying areas of improvement that might have been overlooked. They help fine-tune delivery, pacing, and body language while also overcoming any lingering fears or anxieties.
Every TED speaker has been coached, and even President Barack Obama is well-known for being coached by Michael Sheehan, a well-known communications strategist.
Your Turn: Share Your Thoughts
Now that you've read these tips, I'd love to hear your thoughts! In the comments below, let us know what you'd like me to talk about in the next articles. Your feedback will help us create more valuable content for you!