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?
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One of the best parts of my job is visiting unique and beautiful places like Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, where I spoke this morning. Strategic Communication tip 7: A Q&A document is the foundation for building out customized (& consistent) messages for each department.
In Florida today, facilitating a crisis communications drill. News interview tip 9: Long-winded answer leads to being "taken out of context." Keep responses 10-12 seconds and significantly reduce the chance your comments will be misinterpreted.
Gave keynote this morning at a tech conference in Bismarck, North Dakota. Abusing AI Tip #2:
The fastest way to lose credibility.
Is to use AI to write your LinkedIn posts.
You know them. They’re everywhere.
The super long ones.
Sentence on every line.
People. Please. Stop
Spoke this morning in Boston and then gave an afternoon keynote in Newport, Rhode Island. Sales tip 63: A bad Q&A session can kill a great presentation. Answering questions is an art that can be learned. Learn it!
Worked all day today with a contractor in Arkansas. Crisis Communications Tip 137: Write the right AI prompts in advance to quickly generate messaging documents in a crisis (buy-time statements, news releases, customer & employee letters, talking points, etc.)