I'm a senior scientist for a medical device company in Minnesota. Lately I have been getting very anxious before delivering presentations. Once I begin the presentation, the anxiety subsides and I usually become quite comfortable. Do you have any advice for calming pre-presentation jitters?

After many years of teaching and coaching clients on presentation skills, I have come to accept a certain amount of pre-presentation anxiety as part of the human condition. In fact, I would start to worry if these jitters went away completely. Many experts would agree that this anxiety is connected to the energy necessary for high level presentations. To directly answer your question, I recommend the following three exercises for remaining calm before presentations.

1. Practice diaphragmatic breathing

   This meditative form of "belly breathing" has been very helpful for many individuals. With both feet on the floor and your hands on your thighs, slowly breathe in through the nose and out through your mouth. The secret here is to let your stomach extend as you breathe in. Our normal tendency is to draw the stomach in when breathing. This should be a quiet process that will go unnoticed by the people around you. It is especially useful if you have a long period of time to wait before speaking.

2. Visualize your "highlights film"

   In addition to the above, you can visualize times when one of your presentations was especially successful. Review the presentation in as much detail as possible. Picture the room and the attendees. How did you feel? How did the audience respond? This practice will reinforce a picture of yourself as a highly accomplished speaker.

3. Concentrate on the value you will deliver to your audience

   Focus on the audience as much as possible and not on yourself. Think of the benefits the audience will receive from your presentation. Visualize audience members expressing their appreciation for the information you have given them.

Any one of these techniques can be very helpful or you may choose to use all three. Give them a try and let me know how things work out.

Copyright , Mark J. Campbell. All rights reserved.
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