Comment équilibrez-vous votre charge de travail de formation et gérez-vous votre temps?

Settings goals is extremely important and that starts with talking to people about what they expect out of the training session/ program. Also, aligning the goals and objectives with the expectations of the organisation helps create the right impact.

If you're unsure on your goals, look closer! I've found that reaching out directly to the people that I'll be training, or those responsible for the success of those I'll be training, to best understand their needs from their perspectives can be invaluable in determining my intention for a session.

While this is a critical step, it's also important to meet people where they're at. An overly prepped and structured session may lead to missed opportunities for valuable discussion and engagement among trainees. I use my training time to plan the topics that we absolutely must cover in training. Then, within that framework, build in assessment and skills-check times to inform whether we can move more quickly through a subject or need to pause on a difficult topic.

One of the key steps is planning. For a trainer, planning is extremely crucial to meet the set goals and objects. Using various models or a training plan would be beneficial at this stage.

Never underestimate the value and knowledge that subject matter experts within your company and circle of acquaintances can bring to your training. SMEs are great for reviewing your material, adding content and variety to your delivery and as a sounding board for your proposals. None of us know everything and bringing in SMEs can add real value to your courses, and perhaps even add to your own knowledge base.

Beware the sole-source technology trap! Nothing beats that last minute panic before a presentation when trying to access your material on a cloud server to find that the local WiFi has crashed, you don't have the password or that communications in your area have hit a brick wall. And don't forget - devices (including laptops) can fail without warning. I now make it a habit to store and synchronise all my material in at least three locations: - cloud server - my personal laptop hard drive - removable drive (hard drive or USB stick) I figure that gives me a fighting chance to access my material and present it - even if I have to borrow a computer.

Instruction is taxing on the nervous system for even the most experienced trainer. Build ample time into your calendar to rest after any live training or content production session. If you have a manager, express this requirement for post-training decompression so you can be at your best and avoid burnout.

I find a lot of people focus on the during- and post-presentation times when talking about looking after yourself. But, for me, the most important time is the 24 hours beforehand. If you get a good night's sleep you will be amazed with what you can handle, but if you don't get a good sleep, the wheels can easily fall off. Try to avoid stressful situations in the preceding 24 hours - otherwise you run this risk of bringing unwanted emotional baggage into the course with you. And (don't ask me how I know this) think about avoiding big dinners, food experimentation and parties the night before - a food coma, an upset stomach or a hangover during a presentation is never going to end well.