#002: LUCK FAVOURS THE PREPARED

One of my favourite quotes comes from Edna Mode in The Incredibles: “Luck favors the prepared, darling.” That’s spot on when it comes to presenting. Preparation is everything! Whether you’re delivering a short pitch or a longer presentation, breaking your message into clear, concise soundbites helps it land with impact every time. Channel your inner Edna -focus, prepare, and let luck follow naturally!

How to make LUCK work every time on Camera!

Brad Bird is one of my absolute favourite directors. Not only is he a genius with action, but he’s also dabbled in animation - cue “The Incredibles”, one of my all-time favourite films. There’s this tiny, unforgettable character in the movie, Edna Mode. Bird worked closely with his team to bring her to life, designing her with all these meticulous details and textures, really tearing into the fabric of her character. She’s inspired by the phenomenal actress Helen Hunt, and finding the right voice for Edna turned out to be quite the challenge. Eventually, Brad Bird just went ahead and did the voice himself - and it’s iconic.

Edna is brilliant. She’s this little powerhouse, always ready with sharp, witty advice that’s both precise and problem-solving. She’s got a great line in the film where she tells Mr. Incredible, “Luck favours the prepared, darling.”

It’s classic Edna - sharp, stylish, and right on the money. And honestly, that couldn’t be more true when it comes to presenting on camera or delivering a line. Preparation is everything if you want your message to land with impact every single time.

Being prepared doesn’t just mean knowing your material; it’s about breaking down your larger talk into smaller, manageable chunks. I’m talking bite-sized soundbites - think 45 seconds to a minute each. I like to call these “New York Minutes” because in New York, time’s always ticking, and you’ve got to get to the point quickly. It’s the same principle as an elevator pitch - clear, concise, and compelling, so that your ideas roll out naturally and make perfect sense to someone hearing them for the first time.

So, if you’re planning to speak for 2 or 3 minutes, you’re essentially stringing together 2 or 3 of these New York minutes. If you know how to land a beginning, middle, and end in each minute, it gets a lot easier to stitch them into longer segments. You’ll find yourself standing in front of the camera or stepping up to the mic, confident that you can deliver a tight 3-minute talk because you’ve mastered the art of these bite-sized chunks.

And if your talk stretches to five minutes? No problem - you’ll just slot in a couple more soundbites to build on what you’ve already prepared. The key is that your delivery stays focused and smooth, just like one of Edna’s impeccably designed outfits - everything in its place, nothing out of line.

As you gear up for your next talk, channel your inner Edna Mode: prepare, focus, and make every minute count. Whether it’s a short pitch or a longer presentation, remember, it’s not about trying your luck; it’s about being prepared so that luck shows up naturally. And if Edna Mode has anything to say about it, you’ll be stepping out in style, landing your message every single time.

Good luck, darling - you’ve got this!