Suddenly, you are aware that you are hurtling through the heavens at hundreds of miles per hour.  The sun’s rays duck behind the horizon and clouds immediately obscure your vision.  A smartly dressed owl, seated to your right,  begins pulling out reams of paper awash in meaningless squiggles and casually points a feather into the pages, hooting, “We are right on course.”  You are now more than a little confused.

Surely, you have awaken from confounding dreams and either pondered or promptly forgot them.  Your dream presentation can quickly  become your listeners’ nightmare when you assume they track at the same speed as you, know what you know, and can divine the logic of your elocution.

Offering your comments in a organized manner curtails confusion.  Articulating your three main points up front lets your listeners know where they are heading so their notes don’t turn into a bunch of meaningless squiggles. Even if your logic is lucid your presumptuousness can confound.

Assuming anyone can, let alone is willing to see the world through your eyes promotes perplexity.  You must make the effort to see and share your message from your listener’s perspective. What you take for granted is most likely new information to your audience.  Allow your ideas to shine through the clouds of confusion as you seek to expand your listener’s horizons.

Speedy speaking, whether from nervous passion or poor preparation, creates confusion.   Your audience is wondering what’s your hurry instead of considering what you are saying.   Hurtling through a heavenly presentation can create hell on earth for your listeners.

Confusion can mean you are about to learn something but if you presumptively and illogically rush past a teachable moment you just compound the confusion.  Develop the wisdom of an owl who first listens, looks all round and then flies true through the darkness.