When it comes to doing something uncomfortable like attending an important meeting, or interview… some people “wing it”, others prepare. But what happens when you over prepare…
This is exactly the camp I find myself in. A meeting gets booked, I scan through the agenda and start planning. First a bit of research… maybe produce a few slides… then the worst bit… almost scripting word for word what I’m going to say…
In theory this seems reasonable, things will go to plan if you know exactly what you’re going to say… well… no. You can plan the general structure, but real life isn’t a play… you can’t plan for what someone else might say… how they might hand over to you…
At this point it becomes less of a script, and more of a ball and chain… you become conscious of every single word… every key point… if you miss something, you can’t backtrack without seeming disorganised. But… you are organised, too organised… how will that come across…?
You descend into a level of paranoia wondering if someone else has picked up on the fact you missed that point… in reality it’s probably something tiny… only something your super structured mind believes adds a level of context…
But then it’s done, the session is finished and you get a tap on your shoulder… great job that, you came across really well.
A huge weight is lifted, then you check your diary… you have another session after lunch… better prepare…