Presentation Anxiety

Mark Twain said it best when he said there were two types of speakers; those who got nervous and those that are liars. Many of us feel so much anxiety before a presentation that we can’t think straight, we talk too fast, we muddle our words and we rush off to cry in the bathroom.

I have a Masters in Presentation Anxiety, but fortunately I don’t need to call on that qualification these days. Instead, I’ve learned to turn my bowel wrenching panic into energy so I actually enjoy myself.

Here’s my 3 point secret.

1. Preparation
2. Preparation
3. Preparation

There is no simple cure for this, but by preparing your content, your mind and your room you’ll reduce your fear by up to 80%. We fear most when we don’t know something. Be comfortable, know it, own it and see the difference.

Preparation – Your Content

Gather your information, structure it and learn it. You know the topic; otherwise you wouldn’t have been asked to present on it. But if you also want to share the information in a way that is engaging and meaningful to others, then you’ll have to rehearse. And the more you do, the better you get. Like anything. Now as well as knowing your material, know your slides. Know when the next slide is due, having rehearsed over and over. Anticipate questions..what are the toughest ones that will come at you and what are the answers? When you remove the unknown you will naturally reduce your anxiety and confidence will take its place.

Preparation – Your Mind 

Do some visualisation. Come with me on this. Get up there and imagine yourself giving your presentation. You have authority in this. You are fabulous. Your speech is clear. Your eye contact is good, you’re engaging and personable. People like what you’re saying. See it and believe it.

Here’s the other thing to remember ..the audience is on your side. Unless you’ve beat someone at golf, they are on your side. Everyone knows how hard it can be to stand up in front of people and they want you to succeed. They don’t want to share your squirming and stuttering, nor do they want to be bored. They want you to be good, to engage them – they are looking for it.

When I started conference speaking months out I started sweating it. Literally. If I started thinking about what I was going to do I didn’t see a successful, engaging presentation…I saw a blubbering idiot who didn’t really have much to say and so I’d end up running to the toilet.

So the first thing, grasshoppers, is that you have to believe in yourself. Take a leaf out of Donald Trump’s book and build your own ego. You don’t have to take it to a narcissistic level but you must have a strong belief that you know your subject and you are good at what you do. Find yourself a mantra or whatever works for you and remember it.

Finally there are lots of exercises, many of them centred around correct breathing, that can help reduce your stress. Google it and start using them; they work.

Preparation – Your Stage

On the day of your presentation get into the room as early as you can, and get all the physical stuff right.

Put your written notes up the front before anyone gets there; on the lectern or table or whatever – set out like you would read them. This way you’re not fumbling around when you get there. If you need reading glasses, have them up there and open.

Are you using PowerPoint? Get to the room early, trial it. And early isn’t 10 mins before; it’s 60-90 minutes. Because when the PowerPoint doesn’t work you have time to fix it. Carry a spare copy on USB plus a hard copy as back up.

Do you have to step up onto a stage? Are the steps long or short? Do you have heels on? Do they have steel tips? Will they click? Will the heels get stuck in gaps on the stairs or stage? Practice it.

How’s the lighting? If you’re on stage you need to be lit up. That’s right baby….whack on a little more foundation and know that the real you will be exposed. People are there to listen to you and a major part of your message is your visual appeal and body language. So make sure the lighting is on you. If you haven’t had much experience in this stage lights can be harsh, and can limit your audience view. Be prepared for this.

Mark Twain may have said that everyone gets nervous, but like anything – sport, cooking, Excel – the more you do it, the better you get, the easier it becomes. I knew that I was getting there when my stress was no longer deep in the bowels panic stress, but excitement that turns to energy once I’m out there.

That’s the goal and the cure to presentation anxiety. Massive preparation till it hurts. Know your material, do some mental exercises on yourself and get the logistics right on the day. Go ahead – you might even enjoy it.