Sometimes we think that once we’ve started, we can’t start again. We can be quite linear, so we imagine that “Start” is in one place and we have to just keep going until we reach “End.”
That’s rarely true. As always, we have to keep our objective in mind. Is the objective “to keep going until it’s over”? Sometimes, but not often. If you’re running a literal race, it’s not a good idea to go back and start over. If you’re playing a piece with an orchestra, you shouldn’t start back at the beginning of the second movement all on your own.
But if you are speaking, even in a formal setting, and you’ve gotten off to a shaky start, pause. Say, “I’m going to go back just a bit,” then pick it up again. No one wins when you try to push through, getting shakier and shakier and more down on yourself as you go.
The key to this is to make the decision to start over as soon as you realize you’ve gone off course. The longer you wait, the less possible it becomes.
