When Time Runs Short: How to Adapt Without Losing Your Story.

Picture this: you’ve got an hour with your client. You’ve planned for a 20-minute slot with twelve carefully crafted slides. Then, before you get the microphone, a well-meaning colleague uses almost all the time.

Suddenly, your plan is gone. What do you do?

Don’t Rush, Refocus

The instinct is to talk faster and cram everything in.

Resist that urge. Speeding up rarely helps. It overwhelms your audience, muddies your message, and dilutes your impact.

The solution is simpler: say less.

Prioritize Ruthlessly

When time shrinks, your job is to filter fast. Identify the one or two points that truly matter for this audience, in this moment. Deliver those well. The rest can wait for another conversation.

Think of it like triage:

• What’s essential right now?

• What can you skip without losing the thread?

• What can you follow up in writing or in a future meeting?

Skip with Confidence

Audiences don’t need an apology tour for the slides you won’t cover. Skip cleanly and move on.

Don’t fill the air with “I’ll just go through these quickly.” Instead, transition with intention.

Deliver the shorter version of your story smoothly and deliberately.

Your audience won’t miss what they never saw. But they will remember that you respected their time and made your message clear.

Leave Them Wanting More

Ironically, saying less often leaves a stronger impression. A focused message gives space for curiosity, discussion, and next steps.

Instead of twelve slides, they walk away with two takeaways they’ll remember, and a reason to invite you back.

The Takeaway

When the clock runs down, don’t cram. Cut.

Deliver the essentials with clarity and confidence.

Because in presentations, as in tailoring, a clean fit always beats a crowded mess.

-BZ