I'm standing on 42nd St and once again get stopped by a tourist. I guess I look like a local... or a nice guy! They ask me where they can find a good Italian restaurant. I look at them and I go blank. Even though, my favorite mouthwatering Italian meatball is right around the corner... I blank. My mind just goes blank. I try to say something witty like, "No, I really am a New Yorker!" as they walk away from me down the crowded street. Just as they turn the corner, it's back. Carmines!
Minds can go blank at the most inopportune times. And if it happens when I'm with a stranger asking about a restaurant, you can only imagine what will happen when the pressure is on. During auditions, agent interviews or networking situations, it happens to the best of us.
The mind-blanking syndrome happens especially during the times we think we can wing it or we feel like we know it. Why? Because we don't prepare. But here's the deal... we need to be clear on the points we want to make. The key to being world class is bringing your "A game" every time. How do we do this? By creating a cheat sheet.
The answer to "So tell me about yourself." Having a response prepared will give you structure and talking points. Something to fall back on. But talking points that are also Brand centric. Having sound bites that are rehearsed will help support you when your mind goes blank. If you've practiced with someone else and know your key points, it will give you confidence, and confidence is what people respond to.
Ultimately, nothing beats that feeling of walking out the room knowing you were well prepared and that you got your points across.
So here's what I want you to do. Go out and tell people about yourself. Decide what you want people to know about you and start offering it up without being asked. Practice being your authentic self as you order your morning coffee. Make conversation with the person next to you. Ask them to tell you about themselves. See how other people answer the question and what's most memorable.
Remember, you are in sales. The only way you'll be able to sell your product is by sharing what you do with the world. Like working on your craft, it takes practice to fill in the blanks.
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