It is important to remember that change is often uncomfortable. As a result, many of us do not want to risk doing something different with the start or end of our workshop or keynote. But if your goal is to capture the attention of your audience and leaving a lasting impression-it will take some risk. Listed below are seven guidelines that will help you gear up to do a risky opening and/or closing.

1. Ask yourself about the worst things that could happen as a result of doing a selected opening/closing. This will help you determine the magnitude of risk involved.

2. If you are very analytical, list what could go wrong and what could go right. If there are more on the positive side than it might be worth taking the risk.

3. Know your audience.

4. Get the information and the supplies you need.

5. Rehearse your opening/closing mentally and physically.

6. Be wary about sharing your ideas with someone who is not a risk taker.

7. Remember that usually the struggle is more with your own inhibitions and fears.

These are only guidelines. We could spend about an hour just discussing each one of the points mentioned. Each one can be considered as a step in a new direction.But if you just take to time to chew on these few points just watch the transformation in your next keynote, speech or training.

Enough discussion, now get out there and try it. If you mess up, get up, shake it off, re-evaluate and try again!

Have Fun!