Do you feel anxious about public speaking? Your heart is racing, you feel restless, nervous and   worry about making a fool of yourself. You are not alone. Public speaking can be scary for many people however there are strategies to help you become a more confident presenter. 

Here are 5 tips to help you improve your next presentation.

Tip #1 - Preparation and practice

Read and re-read your material so you are familiar and clear about your message. Practice in front of a mirror and pretend you are speaking to your audience. Note any ums and ahs,  any uncomfortable silences, if you are rushing through the presentation, if you have a monotone voice with no enthusiasm or warmth. You can also tape yourself and listen to the recording. Use this time to make required changes so that you know your stuff and can  present it with enthusiasm and sincerity.

Tip #2 - Remember to breathe

If you are feeling nervous before your presentation, doing some breathing exercises before you start will help calm you and focus your energy. You might also notice during your presentation that you are speaking quickly. Take a breath, relax your shoulders, and slow down. Pauses can help you collect your thoughts and give your audience time to consider your message. Slowing down will also help you deliver your message more clearly, so moderate your pace.

Tip #3 - Body language

Around 93% of communication is non- verbal. Our facial expressions and body language give off signals. If we are feeling nervous, anxious or fearful others can see it in our actions. As a presenter having an open stance, standing tall, shoulders back and smiling will make you feel more confident. Amy Cuddy completed a study on body language and the results are astounding. You can view her TED talk at the following link:
https://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_may_shape_who_you_are
To be seen as approachable and likeable greet and chat with people before the presentation. To build rapport and connection, remember to smile and maintain eye contact during the presentation.  

Tip #4 – Know your audience

Understanding who your audience is and focusing on their needs is important. By using appropriate language that resonates with your audience you will increase connection and get your message across more easily. Consider how your message will be received and understood. Look for signs such as nodding and smiling to reinforce understanding.  Get your audience involved by asking them some questions.  

Tip #5 – visualise your success

Our imagination is a powerful tool. Before your presentation take a few minutes to close your eyes and take a few deep breathes. Visualise yourself giving a great presentation - what do you see, what do you hear and what do you feel? Now make that picture brighter and bring it closer, make the sounds louder and the feelings stronger and breathe it in with a smile on your face and let the feeling spread from the top of your head all the way down to the tips of your toes.

As part of our busy working lives there may be times when setbacks cause us to feel overwhelmed, anxious or fearful. This may be due to ongoing changes, staff issues, competing demands or other work matters. We might feel stressed; our health suffers, and we find it hard to maintain a positive outlook and bounce back.

Building resilience helps us handle situations with more enthusiasm and flexibility, learn from our mistakes and thrive.

The following tips have helped me over many years in management roles. I hope you also find them helpful.

Tip #1 - Are you a glass half empty or a glass half full?

If you are someone who is pessimistic in your outlook and sees constant problems and pitfalls, then that’s what will stand out in your experience. Every time you encounter a setback it will re-enforce your belief that only bad things happen, and they always happen to you. If, however you begin to change your language and thinking patterns, you will feel more optimistic. To start to change your language and thinking patterns next time you are faced with a challenge, become aware of your thoughts and any negative self talk. When you notice that you are using negative language – stop the chatter and change the language to be a bit more curious so that you start to see opportunities instead of problems. This will open up other possibilities to solving the issue and improve your outlook.

Ask yourself what good can come from this situation – what can you learn and how can you change the story so that you start to see, hear and feel more positive about the situation.

What action can you take?

Tip #2 - Build positive working relationships

Build strong connections and friendships at work by listening attentively and compassionately. Engage in social activities and get to know your co-workers. Be a team player by helping and supporting others and ask for help if you need it. Feeling connected and supported at work will assist with building resilience when challenges arise.

Tip #3 - Seek out resilient role models

People who continue to strive in the face of adversity can be inspiring and be great role models for developing resilience.

 
My role models are my parents. They are battlers who migrated to Australia in the 1950s. They went through many hard times with work and family. They were hopeful and persevered, finding other ways to manage the situation. They worked hard and raised a family and established a business. I learnt from them not to give up.

You may have a person in mind that inspires you such as a parent, friend, co-worker. How do they behave or react to situations? Are they open to opportunities, willing to embrace challenges and persevere? What qualities do they have that you can model?

What can you learn from these role models to help you cope with challenges or stressful situations and persevere?

How can you incorporate learnings into your life?

Tip #4 – There is no failure, only feedback

Sometimes we tackle a challenge, or an issue and it does not work out the way we thought it would. Instead of seeing this as failure, it is important to see it as feedback. It is an opportunity to reflect on the situation and learn from the attempt. Now and then things happen, and you may feel uncertain, anxious or even fearful. By speaking with supportive colleagues or friends about other possible options and being willing to try something a bit different will provide the motivation to push forward and take the next step to a more positive outcome. 

What can I learn from this situation?

What will I do differently next time?

What have I not thought of yet?

What other options are possible?

Tip #5 – Set achievable goals

Set achievable goals that you can break down into small steps so that you can see progressive achievement. Celebrate each step along the way. This will build confidence and determination to keep going. If you hit a roadblock, take positive steps to find another way to manage the situation and keep going.

Appreciating where you are now and what you have achieved will make you feel happier and more positive within yourself. It will help you focus on your success. Acknowledge yourself for your contributions and what you have achieved at work. Take some time to celebrate your successes.

How will you celebrate?