Delivery: the nerves

1. Transform nervous energy into enthusiasm

Nervousness is actually a form of energy. Instead of trying to suppress it, try to turn it for your use. Your audience will interpret your nervous energy as enthusiasm. If you feel really nervous, before you go on the stage, try jumping up and down on the spot a few times, if you can. Do something physical and energic the best you can, just before you begin your speech. If it is to your liking, play your favourite pumpy energic music. Or drink some coffee. Turn your fear into energy that will help you appear enthusiastic and engaged.

2. Relaxation tricks: breaks, drink water, breathe, smile

These relaxation tricks help regulate chemical balances in your body. Regulate your breathing, breathe slowly and deeply. Take breaks, swallow, drink water and don’t forget to smile. All of these will contribute to you feeling more relaxed and more in control.

3. Adjust to place

If you are really nervous, one very good strategy to reduce the anxiety is to become familiar with the actual space where the public speech will take place. So if it is possible do arrive at the space 10 minutes before the speech and check it out. Get to know the place. It will give you a sense of control and it will help calm your nerves in a very easy to do way.

4. Sabotaging thoughts and positive visualisation

This is something that surely you have heard before. The news is that this principle is scientifically proven to be accurate. If you stay in a cycle of sabotaging thoughts, you will be more likely to have an unsuccessful speech. In other words, try to avoid repeating in your mind that you are going to be bad at it, that you will forget what you want to say, that you will not be able to move the audience. Instead, think positive thoughts and project all the reasons for which you will have a successful speech: I have prepared. I know the subject. I really believe in the message. I will be able to persuade the audience because the message is very clear. The more positively you will think, the more likely you are to succeed.