Performing in front of the group is the worst nightmare for many even after being well prepared. But the famous Harvard professor Alison Wood Brook’s said that the pre-presentation jitters can be channeled as positive energy, through his book’s, “Reappraising Pre-performance Anxiety as Excitement”.

Anxiety is normal as long as it doesn’t vanquish your presentation.

Understanding anxiety:

Mentally blank, physically tongue tied and shuttering, the feelings are so irksome that we want to avoid the situation entirely.

Origin of anxiety:

A profuse feeling of being watched and judged, which brings down our self esteem, especially when we pressure ourselves with high expectations. One bad experience will force us to avoid the whole situation.

Here are 7 tips to beat anxiety:

• Be Prepared:
  Preparation is confidence. Preparation judges your presentation. Nothing can compensate preparation. Even if your slides are visually colorful and pleasing you will struggle to speak. Always rehearse at least 10 times before you go in stage. Preparation boosts your confidence like no other.

• Overcoming fear:
  Talk to yourself, say that it’s not fear, it’s excitement and anxiety. You are not in danger and the feeling is not real.
  

• Channel fear into excitement:
  Bring positive thoughts, tell yourself that you are going to have fun and you are eager to present and just can’t wait.
  

• Focus:
  Focus on the message you want to deliver and not your feelings. Think about your purpose, inspire the audience, when you talk wit passion and enthusiasm nothing can stop you.

• Remember-The audience is yours!
  You have the power to channel the audience, your talk is what guides them. The audience wants you to do your best. If you are not comfortable, it would affect them too.

The purpose:

What is your call of action? Always keep your mind focused on the target. This will help you to keep mind on track.

“This too shall pass”:

It will be over before you know it. It’s temporary. Try to imagine yourself relaxing and sipping a cool drink after your presentation. Then all the fear’s would be just a memory.

Conclusion:

Clear your mind, be focused, you are doing the presentation for a purpose. You want people to hear you don’t let the fear of failing, fail you from your aspirations and dreams.