EIGHT Ways To Bust Presentation Anxiety

All presenters/speakers including myself have experienced some form of presentation speech anxiety. According to The Book of Lists, the number one fear of most people is speaking before a group! Use these proven tips to help you control your presentation nerves thus ensuring your chances are higher in deliver world class presentations.

Tip 1. Don’t try to be perfect.

The fear of public speaking often stems from a fear of imperfection. Accept the fact that no one ever gets it perfect (me being the first) and neither will you. You do not have to become a Super Speaker, never saying ‘er’ or ‘uh,’ and never losing your train of thought. If you are not a comedian, don’t try to be one. Be yourself-- your audience will appreciate it.

Tip 2. Visualise your success.

A powerful technique used by many successful presenters. Close your eyes and picture yourself delivering your talk with confidence and enthusiasm. See the audience clapping for you. See them smiling and cheering you on. See them giving you a round of applause as you finish. How do you look? Picture success and allow your mind to help you turn your picture into a reality.

Tip 3. Don’t tell others that you are nervous.

I have come across quite a few people who before they present, actually inform the audience they are nervous That is a big no no! This actually feeds stage fright. Smile big and act as if you are confident. Your audience will mirror your body language and soon your act will be replaced with the actual feelings of confidence.

Tip 4. Avoid caffeinated drinks.

It comes as a big surprise to many when I discuss this during my sessions. Note, caffeinated drinks (tea/coffee) increase your heart rate, make your mouth dry and can make your hands shake and give you the appearance of nervousness.

Tip 5. Pause and sip.

When you first face your audience, pause for a count to two. The pause will help you relax. To you this may seem like an eternity, but I promise, the audience won’t even notice it. The pause will help them quiet down and ready themselves to listen. Place a glass of room temperature water (even better if you put a piece of lemon in the water) up front, and if you get nervous pause and take a sip or two.

Tip 6. Make eye contact. Not only will the audience appreciate it, but also you will see that they are interested in your message. Add a smile and you are bound to engage. A good starting point is to always find a few friendly faces in different areas of the room. Tip 7. Breathe Breathe from your stomach muscles, not your chest. Breathing from your belly calms the nervous system. Before and even during your presentation, take a few deep breaths. As you inhale, say to yourself, ‘I am,’ and as you exhale, ‘relaxed.’ Tip 8. The 3 P’s - Practice, Practice, Practice! There is nothing better than this to reduce your anxiety until you feel comfortable. It is vitally important that you practice out loud! Practice in front of a full-length mirror or even in front of friends or even family. Another cracking tip is to record your presentation, listen to the tape as objectively as you can, and make any necessary changes. --- GO FOR IT--- Happy presenting as always. Taher