How to Relax Before Speaking in Public
Ask anyone who’s at ease in front of a crowd how they do it, and the first thing, the key thing, the if-you-only-do-one-thing-do-this thing she’ll say is: prepare. Rehearsal is the work, and performance, the relaxation. That doesn’t mean memorizing your entire speech. But you must practice it, in front of live people, as many times as you (and they) can stand it. Fine. We get it. We need a little more help for the day-of.
Get to the venue where you will be speaking about an hour early. Test the sound system and any other equipment you’ll be using. If you can, greet the people who will be in your audience, That twill make them feel like friends.
About ten minutes before you speak, use the bathroom.
About five minutes before, take some deep breaths—just enough to get your adrenaline under control. We like the 5-5-10 method: Breathe in through your nose for five seconds, hold for five seconds, then exhale through your mouth for 10 seconds. Let your arms hang by your sides and just shake them, discreetly. Or, if you have some privacy, slip off your shoes, stand on one leg, and shake the other. Switch legs and repeat. When you put your foot back on the ground, it will feel lighter, explaining that this will channel your nervous energy into the floor. It’s a practical technique used by actors.
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