How do you overcome nervousness and anxiety before and during your presentations?

When preparing your presentation, focus on your objectives and your abstract (if you had one accepted at a professional meeting or conference). This is the guide map for your content delivery. When preparing a presentation ask yourself, did I address my objectives? Does my presentation represent what was outlined in my abstract?

It is important to remember that you are there to serve. If you know what the audience is wanting or needing then the message easily follows. Walking in to a presentation ready to 'tell' will only serve you. Walking in to a presentation ready to 'give' will serve others.

Practicing, for me, is writing. When I create a talk, I then write out different thoughts, ways to remember points without looking at notes, and then spend mornings (while putting on make up) going over in my mind how things will flow.

Focus particularly on the more complex ideas and language. If you are including research, make sure you can make the main points clear to your audience. If it’s too complicated for your to explain clearly, it may be difficult for your audience too.

Creating a notes page or note cards may also be beneficial to you as you prepare for your presentation. Depending on the topic, it may be challenging to remember everything you want to say, especially when following the 6x6 rule for slide development (i.e., no more than 6 words per line and no more than 6 lines per side), so having notes to refer to can help anxiety related to remembering everything you want to share. Remember that they are a supporting resource. Do not plan to read directly from them. I find it helpful to type them in a large font size so they can be easily read, which prevents you from having to squint.

Rehearsing is always your best defense when preparing to speak! In all my years of being a speech coach and speech instructor, I’ve never heard anyone say they wish they had spent LESS time in rehearsals. Instead they will say how they should have rehearsed MORE. So, Rehearse, Rehearse again, then Rehearse once MORE! Keep Speaking! SpeechShark

Getting to a site early is the best way to become relaxed. Don't be afraid to meet a couple of people, then find your seat, sit and think. When I sit, I breathe deeply and think of the purpose for the day. Mediating on the why and not the how helps a great deal.

Try to control your speed of delivery. When you’re nervous, you tend to speak more quickly. This leads to not breathing properly and your head gets more fuzzy. Speak slowly and clearly. Pause for breath at the end of a point or a slide. Smile.

I always start with a story. It gives a personal touch to your presentation. An added bonus is taking about something you are really comfortable with (your story) calms your nerves and draws in your audience.

Reading the room. This is a skill that separates good presenters from great presenters. When you read the room, you notice when you are 'losing' the audience and you know you have connected. You have to monitor and adjust in the moment to draw them back. That means you have to have a story prepare or a turn and talk ready. As a presenter, I spend the first part of any presentation waiting for the audiences smiles or shoulders to relax while I present myself as a human being who is just there to share.

There is no doubt that every presentation is going to be met with those whose looks could kill or tech difficulties or time cut short. If you are prepared then it is easy to monitor and adjust to meet the needs of the room no matter what happens. Preparation is key to these moments. As a speaker, when these things happen, you become vunerable and that attaches you to the audience. Use the moment to open up the minds of those in the seats.

Having a positive mindset is key. Consider questions to be a good thing - they mean that people are interested in your topic, and they want to clarify the information you shared or learn more. When responding to a question you don’t know the answer to, thank the person for asking it, verify that it is a good question, tell anything you may know that relates to their question, and explain that you will be happy to research it further. Follow up with the person after the presentation to obtain their email so you can send them an update. Make sure you contact them if you said you would do so!

A simple exercise that works for me is to pick a point at the back of the room just before you start your presentation. Focus on that point and see how far your peripheral vision can take you along the back wall and along the sides of the room. The part of brain that ‘does’ nervous is the same as you use for peripheral vision and since your brain can’t do both at the same time your nervous feelings evaporate. Good thing is no one in the audience can see anything other than you look focused. Has worked for me for years and as you get better at it, the calm feeling happens quicker and quicker.

I recently had to present to Senior leadership which I had never done before. Sure, I “knew” them, but didn’t know them outside brief interactions. My manager was smart enough to share who else was going to be in the meeting. That helped settle my nerves because these few people were ones I had daily interactions with on other projects. The best thing my manager said to me was “be yourself.” That was hard to let sink in because I wanted to present how they wanted to hear. Once I took a breathe, looked to and talked to my key people, nerves went out the window and it was a success!