When it comes to speaking in front of an audience, it is rarely the content of our presentation that makes us anxious and worried. It is rather: how can we stay cool? How can our audience perceive us as confident even though we actually feel super insecure?
Worrying whether we will say the right thing, whether we will have the answers to all the questions, whether people will notice that we’re super nervous or that we don’t know as much about the subject as we should. Whether the presentation will work on our laptop, whether we will stop mid-sentence and completely lose track of what we were talking about. The list goes on and the doom-scenarios are endless.
Public speaking is such a big issue for us, not because we are physically incapable of giving a presentation or a talk. We are absolutely able to do it.
It’s all the stuff that goes on inside our heads, and the intense emotions we get from having to stand in front of an audience, that not only take time and energy, but also carry on once the presentation is over - along the lines of “Oh no, I shouldn’t have said that. Why didn’t I think of this? Why wasn’t I calmer? How embarrassing! etc.
Know what I’m talking about?
It is an ongoing process for my clients and myself to get out of this over-worrying mind and on the crazy rollercoaster ride of public speaking in a confident way. The goal is not to only not let it defeat us, but face it head on. By doing that we can actually grow on a personal and professional level.
If any of what I described above fits what is going on in your head when somebody asks you “would you mind presenting this in front of the board next week?” - then check out my 5 tips to not only save time and energy when it comes to public speaking, but most likely your sanity!
1. Use your breathing as a way to calm you down. You can take deep breaths - focusing on breathing out longer than you breathe in. You can do this before and during the presentation even. Taking more breaks to breathe actually slows your speaking down, which most likely is too fast if you are nervous anyway.
2. Change your inner dialogue. Our reality is created by our thoughts. There is no absolute and objective reality, especially when it comes to speaking in front of an audience. It's all a matter of perception. You can change your perception from fear to confidence by changing the things you are telling yourself. If you tell yourself encouraging things, you will feel encouraged.
3. Clarity gives Control. Make sure you have a clear message of what you want your audience to take away from listening to you. Structure your presentation clearly and stay concise. If you are very stressed, don't aim to give the talk of a lifetime. Be clear on what information your audience needs to know and share just that.
4. Practice. Make sure you take the time to say the words of your presentation out loud at least once before. And the first 3 sentences at least 10 times. It is usually the first few minutes that are the most nerve-racking. After that you will have adjusted to the situation and feel less nervous.
5. Put yourself in a successful state BEFORE the presentation. Allow yourself to already feel successful and confident about your presentation before you step in front of your audience. Don't leave it for your audience to validate you or your presentation. Be in charge of your own feelings and detach yourself from the outcome. The more dependent you are on people liking you and thinking of you as somebody confident, the uncooler you will come off. If you already go into the situation as a winner regardless of what happens, chances are much higher that you will feel good about yourself and confident.
I hope these tips were useful. 😎
If you need some guidance in becoming more confident presenting and sharing your voice with an audience - book a 30 free discovery call with me here. You can also check out my coaching program here.
And if you have read this post and tried out one or some of my tips, feel free to send me an email and tell me about it.
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