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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Gave opening keynote this afternoon at an insurance conference in San Diego. Presenting tip 92: Don't staple your notes. It draws attention to them, especially when you turn the page. Instead, fan the pages and smoothly slide and discard.
Worked all day today with a St. Louis-based contractor. Negotiation tip 33: Don't mirror your opponent's demeanor, especially if the tone and questions are negative.
Spent the day working with Michigan law enforcement leadership. Crisis communications tip 7: Quickly address misinformation and rumors in the early hours of a crisis, or risk losing control of the narrative.
Back to work! Spoke last week in Orlando. This week I'm in Ohio, Michigan and Missouri. Meeting/conference tip 15: More Variety = More Energy. Mix things up to keep your audience constantly engaged.
Just wrapped my last job of the year, working with an Ohio-based insurance company. Huge thanks to all my clients who made this year truly one for the books—and more than just a nod to my travel partners, @Delta, @Marriott, @Avis, and @Uber for getting me where I needed to go.