Why do I overprepare and underpitch?
The short answer
Preparation can help you speak clearly, but it can also postpone the moment of asking. Check whether your next hour of research would change the request or only delay it.
Published
Give the preparation a job
Write the request in one sentence. Then choose the few facts someone needs to understand it. Extra detail belongs in supporting notes, not necessarily in the opening.
Separate a missing fact from a fear of hearing no. Missing facts need research. Fear may need practice, a smaller conversation, or support. More slides will not always solve the second problem.
Decide which details can wait until someone asks, so you can explain the request before the conversation disappears into background information.
An imagined example
Imagine you want to lead a project. You prepare a long account of everything you have done, but never ask for responsibility. A clearer opening would name the project, your relevant experience, and the decision you want discussed.
Practise a short opening
Say what you propose, why it matters, and what you want next. Credit other people’s work accurately. If you use results, use numbers you can explain.
Ask a trusted person whether the request was clear. Then choose a real opportunity to use it. Astrofluence can help you reflect on how you want to show your work, but cannot guarantee agreement or remove every difficult feeling.