This document goes with the YouTube @SpeakUpWithJane video titled HOW TO STAY ON MESSAGE (Stop Rambling and Start Commanding Attention).

Technique:

Remember, pause after you’ve read the question and mentally prepare your response.
Select 2 or 3 key points you want to include. (Use the “if they remember nothing else..”
approach.)
Focus on these; they are your stepping stones.
Breathe and set your timer, but keep it out of eyesight.
Start with point one. If you feel you are getting off point, come back to the stepping stone.
Stop timer (without looking at time passed) and guess how long you think you spoke.
Compare to the actual timer.

20 fun questions to practice your techniques:

Who are the people who improve your life?

What is one skill you’d love to master?

What do you do well?

How do you define personal or professional success?

What was the best moment in the past week?

What is something you are proud of?

What is your greatest strength?

Look back and describe one thing you did that you never thought you could.

What skill do you dream of mastering?

If you could go back and tell your younger self one thing, what would it be?

What one aspect would you like to change about your current life?

What do you love about where you live?

What five adjectives would you like to be able to use to describe yourself in five years? 

What job would you do if you weren’t limited by salary?

How would your closest friends describe you?

What is your happiest childhood memory?

What is your favorite leisure time activity?

Where in the world would you like to visit?

Describe how your family celebrates big occasions.

Who was your most positive influence growing up?