Do you always get cold feet the moment you realize you’re presenting to your colleagues or a group of panelists at work?
If so, then this post is for you.
You’re suffering from what is known as “glossophobia.” Forgive the big word; it only means the fear of public speaking.
Contrary to popular belief, glossophobia is actually not too big a deal. In fact, the National Social Anxiety Center claims that about 73% of Americans are affected by glossophobia.
So, before you start beating yourself up for not being able to face a crowd or present to your bosses at work, know that you’re not alone.
That said, below are some tips that can help to calm your nerves and put you in a better frame of mind ahead of a workplace presentation.
1. Have a thorough understanding of the subject matter
Imagine someone wakes you up tomorrow morning and asks you to give them a brief narration of a movie you recently saw; how do you think you’ll fare? The chances are that your delivery will be smooth and perfect.
Why? Because you have a deep understanding of what you’re talking about.
The reason most people feel anxious about giving a talk is that they are scared of underperforming. What if I don’t make a good presentation? What if they don’t like my piece? What if my brain freezes up?
Guess what, my friend? When you have deep knowledge about something, there’s no way you won’t feel confident talking about it.
2. Always arrive at the venue early
Getting to a presentation venue late or rushing down to the podium can cause a sort of disorientation that leaves you anxious and uneasy.
The best way to calm your nerves before your “big moment” is to arrive at the venue as early as possible. This way, you can assess the environment, the technology you’ll be working with, and the audience’s arrangement.
3. Prepare for the worst
A wise man once said, “The best way to beat fear is to hope for the best and prepare for the worst.”
In your case, the worst that can happen is forgetting what you want to talk about, saying something wrong, not dressing appropriately, or displaying some unethical presentation habits.
If any of that happens, what would you do next?
Of course, you can’t just walk away from the podium. But you definitely have to do something. So, within yourself, think of something to do or say in case the going gets tough.
Suppose you say something off point; you can prepare some “rescue statements” to keep in mind and get back on track. Say your brain freezes; you can prepare some gap fillers that will help you remember the content of the material.
By and large, the idea here is to anticipate your “worst-case scenario” and think of what you will do to get out of it.
4. Take an anxiolytic medication beforehand
Anxiolytic medication is any drug or formulation that helps to relieve anxiety. If you’re feeling uneasy, nervous, or scared about giving a presentation, it can be said that you’re suffering from a form of momentary anxiety.
In that case, an anxiolytic medication can help to calm your nerves and restore your mental balance.
While there are many such drugs on the market today, we strongly recommend the all-natural legendary cannabis extract – CBD.
CBD has been tested and proven to help people living with all kinds of anxiety get back to normalcy. In your case, not only will it ease your nervousness, but it will also give you a surge in confidence.
But be careful when shopping for CBD, because there are various strengths and potency levels. You don’t want to buy one that gives a sedating effect. To get the best one for your condition, check Gold Bee’s CBD products today.
5. Execute some relaxation techniques
Besides anxiolytic medications, some relaxation techniques can also help calm your nerves by managing those uncomfortable sensations caused by anxiety.
It only takes a few minutes to execute these techniques, so you can try them right before you head into the venue or onto the podium.
Here are five such relaxation techniques, as suggested by Harvard Medical School:
1. Breath focus. Take long, slow, deep abdominal breaths, and count to 10 as you inhale and exhale.
2. Body scan. Here you focus on one part of your body to mentally release any physical tension you feel there.
3. Guided imagery. Here you imagine tranquil scenes, places, or experiences in your mind to help you relax and focus.
4. Mindfulness meditation. This involves sitting comfortably, focusing on your breathing, and bringing your mind’s attention to the present moment without drifting into concerns about the presentation.
5. Yoga, tai chi, and qigong. These three ancient arts combine rhythmic breathing with a series of postures or flowing movements. The physical aspects of these practices offer a mental focus that can help distract you from racing thoughts.
6. Present your presentation to someone before you climb the podium
If you live with a partner or have a friend or colleague who can help out, it can be a good idea to rehearse your performance before D-Day.
Ask the person to sit across from you, as though they’re the audience, and then begin your presentation.
When you finally mount the podium to give your talk, just imagine that you’re continuing the conversation with this person. Instead of seeing the intimidating faces in front of you, picture the face of that person, and continue the presentation you were giving to them.
7. Embrace the feeling of anxiety
Finally, it is normal to feel anxious. Those trembling hands, those sweaty muscles, and that shaky voice? They’re simply the manifestation of your body getting flooded with adrenaline.
It’s not an abnormality. It’s your reality. So, instead of trying to fight it by striving to stay calm or letting your mind drift elsewhere, it may be a good idea to embrace it and tell yourself that this is your own way of dealing with something big and important.
We all have our unique ways of dealing with things, don’t we?
