Overcoming Nervousness
Here’s what you can do to overcome nerves before you speak in public.
It is natural to be nervous before a public appearance. Every professional entertainer experiences some kind of “butterflies” before a performance. The symptoms are usually a nervous stomach, perspiring, shifting eyes, death grip on chairs . . .
What can you do about it?
- Practice a few relaxation exercises before you go on – rolling your neck, swinging your arms, stretching.
- Take a deep breath, hold it for three-five seconds, let it out slowly.
- Stand naturally with your feet shoulder-width apart, your hands loose and relaxed. Then shake your hands and arms, letting the vibration work itself into the rest of your body.
- Nervousness adds adrenaline to your system – it can make you sharper and quicker – use it.
- Think of nervousness as a way of ensuring that you are “up” for the presentation.
- The best way to combat nervousness is to come prepared for the situation by knowing your subject matter and the major points you need to make.
Where in the World is Anthony?
;
Spoke this afternoon in Chicago at a financial managers conference. Business development tip no. 1 for all my many construction clients: THE two most important people to winning new projects are your PM and Superintendent. But are you preparing them effectively for interviews?
Spoke all day today at an insurance conference in Scottsdale, Arizona. Presenting tip 30: Half your audience, at any given time, is mentally engaged in a deep personal thought. More if you're boring. Learn how to snap them back.
Spoke this morning at a credit union conference in Destin, Florida. News media tip 6: Don't waste a reporter's time by being unprepared. Facts+good quote=win for you.
Worked all day today with contractors in Lexington, Kentucky. Presenting tip 19: Don't let a mistake derail your entire presentation. Recover and move past it quickly and your audience will forgive and forget.
Gave opening keynote this morning at a tech conference in Boise, ID Communications tip 23: Your primary goal in every presentation, meeting, etc. is not to inform. It's to PERSUADE. Stop spewing content & instead convince your audience to pay attention & retain key information.