Are you ready to finally get control over your public speaking anxiety?  Are you done with that pit in your stomach and prepared to rule the room?

You may have already taken the college class, read the books, and talked to your friends for help, but I hope to add a new perspective on what it takes to achieve confidence in public speaking.

Many people believe either that public speaking confidence doesn’t exist or is only a gift given to the select few at birth, but those types of beliefs are only holding you back.

If you’re struggling with presentation or public speaking anxiety, this is the place for you.

Ready to dive into a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into a confident attitude about public speaking?

Always think positively!

If you’ve been finding yourself struggling with public speaking anxiety or a big upcoming presentation, you are most likely holding onto a lot of negative thoughts.

“I’m terrible at this.”

“They’re going to hate this.”

“I can’t do it.”

“I wish it was over”. 

Ask yourself, why do I think these negative thoughts and who benefits from me thinking them?

Answer – No one.

Telling yourself you can’t do it and that the result is going to be poor does nothing but fuel your anxiety, scatter your thoughts, and often push you to procrastinate on your presentation development and practice.

All of these things directly impact your final presentation negatively.  These types of internal dialogue tracks hold you back from ever achieving your best public speaking outcome.

Instead, think positively!  Tell yourself it will be fine (you’ve survived other presentations before, after all).  That your audience is interested.  That your message is important.  That you are capable and qualified.  That your audience will respect you more if you deliver an amazing presentation.

Hint: I have another post on public speaking anxiety over here. 

My routine for presentation preparation 

I am happy to say that I have achieved a place in my professional career where the request for a presentation no longer raises the little hairs on the back of my neck, and my routine directly influences my ability to prepare and deliver the presentation that’s needed of me.

My preparation process goes a little like this:

• Brainstorm: Jot down the essential elements I’ll need to cover in my presentation.  I also download a slide template if one is required for the presentation to help inform my brainstorming.
• Slide Creation:  I build the presentation deck based on my brainstorming, a template (if applicable), and the best way to organize the main ideas I want to convey.
• Rehearse: At my desk or in a private conference room, I get up and run through my presentation 2 – 3 times (minimum) to work out the awkward phrases, uncertainty about the order of slides and to clean up any issues that jump out at me.

How is your routine presentation preparation routine serving you?  Or is it holding you back somehow?

Regardless of how you do it, my #1 piece of advice is this: Do not procrastinate.  Start immediately after assigned to give a presentation.  Procrastination is your anxiety getting in your way.

If you’re stuck, don’t be afraid to reach out.  I work with speakers managing a deadline all the time to help them through the preparation and rehearsal process.  Happy to link up and see how I can get you unstuck.

In the end, I can give you a lot of advice about what works for me and many of my clients.  But at the end of the day, whatever works for you is what will work best for your public speaking. 

Some advice from outside

I like to shake it up with info from all over the web.  In most every domain, when we want to improve at something, we get support from a coach.  Whether it’s tennis, running, leadership, or even how to install shutters on our house, we ask an expert.

Public speaking is no different!  Without a guide to understand your unique characteristics and how you can more effectively leverage your gifts and opportunities, you’re flying a bit blind, my friend.

For more information about how we could work together, click here.

Never shy away from feedback

Your great-grandma means well when she says your speech was wonderful, but it’s another thing that’s holding you back.

Instead, look for experts, colleagues, and trusted friends who will give you the honest truth for guidance.

When you’re running out of steam working on your upcoming presentation, this quote from Steven Levett may spur you on: 

“The key to learning is feedback. It is nearly impossible to learn anything without it.”

In other words, to succeed, you’re going to need to fail.  And great feedback will help you see where you can improve and where you’re already on the path to success.

You need resilience 

Now, just because you currently don’t have a TED Talk on YouTube or a shiny corner office, doesn’t mean you can’t use public speaking as a tool to get the career success you want.

This does mean you need to put yourself out there and experiment with your speaking before you can dial in your own recipe for success.  There is no reason you can’t learn to become a confident and talented speaker.  The only thing that holds you back is you.

I’m here to help you every step of the way.

To improve as a speaker and manage your anxiety about presentations, you’ll need to give some presentations.  Some of these will be successful.  Some will be mediocre.  Some will be awful. 

Each of these experiences teaches you something.  And each are survivable.  You will pick yourself up, learn, and move on.

Acknowledge these facts and you’re pretty far ahead of the game already!

Beyond that, preparation is key.  Because I know how difficult it can be to just get started with a presentation, I put together this free (really free!) guide for you. Use it to move from assignment to completion for all your public speaking tasks. 

Enter your name and email to download my Public Speaking Blueprint.

Add your name and email to download the blueprint now!

Wrapping it up! 

Overcoming your public speaking anxiety can feel daunting, but really, that goal is achievable for you.

By preparing well, getting good feedback, and embracing the resilient speaker in you, you’ll uncover new professional success and confidence in your own innate self.

Remember, you can download my Public Speaking Blueprint to help you develop a presentation that stands out and gets you noticed.

Any questions? Want more support?

Comment below or shoot me a message!

Cheers!

Andrea