How do I get over nervousness before a speech or presentation?

Question

Can't get out of your own head? Afraid of forgetting your lines? Public speaking anxiety affects 75% of adults today, and that number is only growing with technology constantly becoming a bigger player in our lives.

Answer 1

Before presentations, everyone experiences some type of anxiety. It's no different than a basketball player before the game, a runner before a track meet, or a theater actor before opening night.

In each of those examples, those are all muscles and skills that those people all use regularly. Professionals still get nervous, but it's something they can manage better after years of practice.

The reason you're nervous is because this isn't a "muscle" or skill you exercise regularly. When you do, it's never frequent enough for you to get over the anxiety. The best way is to:

1. Practice in front of other people. Start with just one person. You will likely still feel a little nervous but not as bad as the actual day of your speech or presentation.
2. Record and watch yourself! This will feel cringey but it will help make you aware of your habits.
3. Learn through optimized methods by breaking down public speaking into multiple skillsets. Think of it like basketball - dribbling, shooting, defense, are all individual skills that make up a great player. This is where a coach can help you optimize the time you spend practicing.