Anxiety is a killer.
Your presentation doesn’t stand a chance against it.
The more anxious you are about your presentation the closer to disaster you are.
You see, anxiety feeds on itself.
As your anxiety builds, you focus on what could go wrong and the anxiety gets stronger.
The anxiety snowball gains momentum until it’s intolerable.
But, there’s hope!
If you’re even the slightest bit anxious about a presentation you’ve got coming up, you can use these 3 tricks to tame your anxiety before and during your presentation.
1. Give up the need to be perfect
I know, I know. You want to remember every single line in your speech.
You want to recite your lines word-perfect, using the highest quality vocal tones.
You want to gesture at just the right times to wow your audience.
Thing is, the chance of everything being perfect is almost zero.
Something is bound to go wrong.
You’ll trip on a rogue piece of carpet. You’ll forget a line. You’ll accidentally burp as you start talking.
And the more you focus on being perfect, the more likely it is something will go wrong. Because a focus on perfection increases your anxiety.
When you give up the need to be perfect, and accept that things might not go to plan, you reduce your anxiety.
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2. Accept that mistakes will happen
Mistakes can and will happen.
You can reduce your anxiety by remembering that mistakes are not bad.
Imagine you’re in a regular conversation and as you’re talk you forget something. You know, one of those moments where what you want to say is on the tip of your tongue, but you just can’t find the right word.
Sound familiar?
In regular conversation mistakes happen all the time.
How do you handle it? Do you panic, freeze, go red-faced, apologize profusely to your friends? Of course not. You just laugh it off and move on.
You should handle presentation mistakes in the same way:
Just move on.
Remember that most of the time, your audience doesn’t notice your mistakes. If they do, they probably don’t care.
Accept that mistakes will happen and you’ll reduce your anxiety.
Remember: Just move on.
3. Focus on the relationship
Ask “What’s the most important part of a presentation?” and you’ll hear answers such as “well-designed slides”, “clear speech” or “confidence”.
While these things are important to varying degrees, there is one part of your presentation that is more important than all others…
…Your relationship with the audience.
Get this wrong and nothing else matters.
If you don’t have a good relationship with the audience chances are they aren’t listening to your “clear speech” or paying attention to your “well-designed slides”.
How do you get a good relationship with your audience?
Simple. Talk to them like they are human. Talk like you are human. Do the opposite of what they are used to: communicate with them.
Audiences sit through hours and hours of robotic presentations every year.
They’ve been lectured to.
They’ve seen all the bullet points.
And they’ve had all the bullet points read to them.
And they’re tired.
They’re tired of the pomp and circumstance around presentations.
They’re tired of listening to presenters who sound like they’re reading from a piece of paper.
If you treat the audience the same as you would if they were in regular conversation with you, you build the relationship with them. Build the relationship and they start to listen. Build the relationship and they become more receptive to what you are saying.
When you have a good relationship, and your audience is receptive, you reduce your anxiety (and you do a better presentation into the bargain).
What do you think? Let’s chat in the comments below…
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Tania A Prince says
I do presentations all the time. I also have a show business background. And I previously had a huge fear of presenting, long gone.
Agree about making mistakes and all your other points. Once you clear the fear about making mistakes they can be utilised to lift the mood in the room. I find audiences generally don’t have a problem with you making a mistake if you handle it well. It can bring humour to the situation, which can be good. After all we are all human.
Mafaz says
Great tips! Especially Points 1 and 2 resonate. I always remind myself of Dale Carnegie’s quote that goes “There are 3 speeches for every speech you actually give – the speech you prepared for, the one you delivered and finally the one you wish you delivered”. Knowing that even in the early 1900s, people suffered from that self-doubt makes it me feel so much better ;D
Paul Barker says
Thanks for sharing Dave. Personally I have also found that the level of preparation has a significant impact. If you really understand your content and key messages, it can really help. Also some calming deep breathing beforehand has also assisted me from time to time.
Beverly Benda says
I agree especially with point #3. In this world of technology, instant access to information, and hectic lives, people need something from you as a speaker that is unique – something that can’t be found on the Internet. That thing is your relationship with them. As a health care professional and speaker on health and wellness issues, I know from experience that I am no expert on other people’s lives and bodies – they are their own experts. Once I honor them for what they know about themselves, I can best support them in making life changes.
Pip says
I do training and presentations all the time – I am also in several bands and this is bang on. I already follow these rules and if I make a mistake or forget something I either move on or make a joke of it – making your audience laugh is probably the best way to keep them interested!!!
jeannie says
Thanks for reminding us that perfection should never be the goal of a presentation. Two actions that help reduce nerves: The more prepared I am the less nervous I feel. (i know its not very sexy – but its critical) and I memorize my intro.
Bill Loveless says
I’m with you on getting off to a good start, Jeannie. I learned from TV work and other presentations to start strong by preparing my opening comment for content and tone, and remembering it. After that, I just need to keep in mind my overall themes and the order in which they might (but not always) flow.
Dave’s comments also remind me of the one word of advice I was offered when I began anchoring a TV program: recovery. Everyone makes mistakes; just move on.
Kalashri Bhalerao says
Nicely written article Dave. Agree with all three points. I feel some of us have the misconception that Good Presenters are born, not made. But, presentation skills and techniques can be mastered with the systematic study of the requisite skills and the good old formula of practice, practice, practice… to perfection!
Kamarul Zaman says
Thanks Dave. It is a reinforcement of what i believe in. Building connection is prime. I start building connection with the audience even before the training sessions start. It has been very helpful. Once this is done,the rest is easy.
Abebe says
Thanks for the tips, I like the saying “just move on” no need to bother for what mistakes you did but move on to the next with improvements no worries to the past. I also suggest knowing your subject matter very well will be the most help full to build your confidence and don’t assume you are the only person who knows every thing share to your audiences if you feel you don’t have full information in some areas of your presentation which may not be very important to your presentation objectives.
cheers!
Carlos says
Thnx Dave, the last point is trully strong, if we can not connect with the audience we are lost.
Regards.
Carlos
Wayne Nunes says
You have captured the essense of truly communicating.
Fahad says
Well said Dave, they’re really useful tips. Perfectionist is a killer; the better relation with the audience, the bigger chance they won’t notice your mistakes !
Dave Mac says
Totally agree, Fahad. Good to hear from you and thanks for your comment.
Ranj says
Actually i liked all the three points, especially the last one building relationship, because it will make both are relax during the whole time and finally it will be win win situation.
thanks again
Jyotsna Gupta says
Great tips and very well-presented. Have been using these myself for some time and believe me they work!!
Thnx for sharing Dave.
Helena says
Be yourself and make them laugh: the rest will be a walk in the park!
Alan Guinn says
In all of this, I believe your last point is best. As a Consultant who has done dozens of stand up presentations, lectures, and as a former singer in a Southern Gospel Quartet, let me assure you that focusing on establishing positive rapport with your audience is one of the single most-important things you can do. Don’t talk at them. Speak to them as if you’re in conversation and you expect them to respond. So many people believe that if they don’t form some type of superiority process, they won’t be respected. Nothing is further from the truth. Speak to your listener as if it’s a 1 on 1 conversation.
Paul Kenny says
Connecting with your audience is a key part of good presentations, look them in the eye, relax your posture and as you say talk to them, not at them.
Great tips, than you!
Paul