Have you ever gotten nervous?

So nervous that you felt like you were going to have an anxiety attack, throw-up or worse… because you had an important presentation, test, interview, or were going on TV?

If so, you are not alone. 

Everyone gets nervous and some nervousness is good because it gives you energy to focus and present yourself well. But too much nervousness can be a disaster. It can wreck your confidence, prevent you from communicating clearly and result in a huge failure. If you thought you felt bad before your big event, that can’t even compare to how you feel after you realize that you blew a big chance because you let your nerves win.  We’ve all felt that feeling…flushed, prickly hot skin, a pit in your stomach and beating yourself up for days after…

But it is preventable. 

Many people think that because they do whatever they do every day, and that they are familiar with their subject matter that they don’t need to prepare any more than showing up on time. And then they don’t understand why they are so nervous.  Soon, they adopt excuses like I am a horrible public speaker, or I can’t speak in a crowd, I am better writing an email, or I am a bad test taker, etc.

Too much nervousness usually comes when you are not prepared. Prepare, even over-prepare. It’s better to be over-prepared than under-prepared.  And this goes for phone calls and casual meetings as well. 

The reason that people think that they are better writing an email than having a conversation is that writing an email forces you to collect your thoughts, organize them and prepare your subject or your ask.  Writing an email is preparation.

When you are prepared, you feel relaxed, you can listen to the feedback from the people you are engaged with and answer in a calm, collected and convincing manner.  And, it is enjoyable instead of something that you just slog through.

Over the years, I created this exercise for preparation.  Initially, it was for my TV appearances, but it was so effective that I applied it to any “big” event in my work life.  It is now so ingrained that I do most of it before all my important meetings and conference calls as well. 

Write it down

I can’t stress this enough.  Type it, hand write it.  Whichever is easier for you.  Put yourself in the headspace of your presentation and write out the dialogue.  This will take some time so give yourself the time you need to get it down on paper and edit it a few times.  I create a “script” for every tv show, presentation, trade show, etc., that I go to and create talking points for all my important phone calls and interviews.

Read it aloud 

If you read it out loud, you will be able to determine if it says what you want to say, makes sense and flows well.  This is a helpful editing tool.

Print it out

Have your “script” handy for meetings, phone conversations, and presentations where you can refer to your notes.  But never read from your “script.”  If you are going on TV or in front of a crowd and can’t use your notes, fold them up and put them away at least one hour before you go on.  Be confident in the fact that you are prepared and ready!

Comfort Props

Determine what makes you comfortable and bring it with you.  Is it a small bottle of water in case your mouth feels dry?  If you ever lose your train of thought during your presentation, taking a sip of water can also buy you a few seconds to help you refocus.

You must feel physically comfortable in order to do a good job.  Bring whatever comforts you. For me, that means I never eat a big meal before a presentation, but I make sure that I am not hungry either. I never drink any alcohol the day before the presentation. I have a bottle of water and some simple snacks like granola bars or a protein drink in my bag. Those “props” make me comfortable and let me focus on the event in front of me. 

It seems like common sense but very few people prepare as much as they need to be effective.  This simple exercise will change the way you communication for the better, increase your confidence, add value to your work and your team. It’s all about being prepared. Remember, you have the power! 

Authored By: Elizabeth Karmel, Director