What do you do if you're feeling anxious about an upcoming public speaking event?

Feeling anxious about a public speaking event is common, but preparation is key to overcoming it. Begin by thoroughly researching your topic and understanding your audience. Practice your speech multiple times, focusing on pacing, clarity, and confidence. Create visual aids or cue cards to help you remember key points, and consider recording yourself to identify areas for improvement. Finally, visualize success and positive outcomes to boost your confidence on the day of the event. With thorough preparation, you can effectively manage your anxiety and deliver a successful speech.

Be calm and start thinking about what can go right. Work on your rehearsals and practice a lot on your speech. Follow relaxation methods such as breathing in breathing out, meditating a bit, and visualizing your success in front of an audience. Keep the pep talk going that this is the best opportunity that came your way and not everyone gets it so easily. You can surely overcome public speaking anxiety before an upcoming public speaking event.

What is there to feel anxious about? You prepare. You draft your speech. You write it as if you would speak, not like an essay. Put together your points, and make sure the transition between the opening, the body, and the call to action is smooth. You practise before the mirror to check your body language and delivery. You practise with evaluators. You amend and adjust. You do this until you are satisfied. On the day itself, come early to settle down. Have friendly faces at strategic points. Do a dry run before the event proper. Then, sit down and wait your turn. The die is cast. Should you forget your speech, take a deep breath, and repeat the last point. The audience will think you are emphasising. Then continue.

"Take a deep breath" is probably the most frequently given piece of advice - and it doesn't help. Rather, take a deep exhale! With every inhale, we activate the sympathetic branch of our nervous system, which raises our level of alertness. With every exhale, we activate the parasympathetic branch of our nervous system, which helps us relax. So when you're backstage waiting for the host to call out your name, or just at the office and about to speak at the team meeting, the simplest technique to calm your system is: exhale longer than you inhale. If you don't have a lot of breathwork practice, start by breathing in for 3 seconds and out for 6 seconds. Do 10-15 rounds, then notice how you feel. And the best part: nobody will ever know!

Give yourself enough time ahead of the speaking engagement to relax and eliminate some pressure. A cup of tea relaxes me, yours might be coffee. Also make sure you have extremely prepared the material you will be speaking on. And definitely insert some ice breakers, they always help lighten the mood.

When feeling anxious before a public speaking event, employing relaxation techniques can significantly alleviate stress. Deep breathing exercises help calm nerves by reducing heart rate and promoting relaxation. Visualizing a successful outcome can also ease anxiety, instilling confidence and positivity. Additionally, practicing mindfulness techniques such as meditation or progressive muscle relaxation can help center the mind and body. Taking breaks to stretch or engage in light physical activity can release tension and promote a sense of well-being. By incorporating these relaxation techniques into your pre-event routine, you can approach public speaking with greater calmness and composure.

Take some time to imagine yourself delivering your speech with confidence and poise. Visualise the audience responding positively to your message, nodding in agreement, and applauding at the end. Picture yourself maintaining steady eye contact, speaking clearly and articulately, and commanding the room with your presence. By visualizing success, you can alleviate anxiety and build your confidence, setting yourself up for a successful and impactful public speaking experience.

Visualizing success can be a powerful tool to overcome anxiety before a public speaking event. Envision yourself delivering a confident and engaging presentation. Picture the audience reacting positively to your message, nodding in agreement and engaging with your content. Imagine speaking with clarity, conviction, and authority. See yourself handling questions and challenges with ease, exuding confidence and competence. Visualize the desired outcome: applause and positive feedback from the audience, affirming the impact of your speech. During the event, recall these visualizations to boost your confidence and calm your nerves. Use deep breathing techniques to stay grounded and focused.

Engaging with the audience is crucial when feeling anxious about public speaking. Start by making eye contact and smiling to establish a connection. Encourage interaction through questions, polls, or storytelling to keep them engaged and attentive. By actively involving the audience, you not only ease your nerves but also create a memorable and impactful experience for everyone involved.

The only audience who expects perfection is the one inside our own head. Our inner audience is our harshest critic. And it is what stands in the way between us and having a learner's mindset. The real audience, the people in the seats, don't need perfection. They need connection. This doesn't mean we shouldn't still put our best effort into preparing for every talk, pitch and presentation. It just means knowing what takes priority when: preparation before the talk, connection during the talk, learning after the talk.

Olympic Coach Bob Bowman once said that athletes prepare for any and all conditions. Help your brain help you by practicing regularly, so your talk becomes second nature. First, try it in the mirror. Then, video record it. Then, try it in different settings, so you can be ready for the unexpected and keep performing. It will look and feel easy only after you've given your brain and body a chance to absorb repeated performances.

My main 3 points: 1. Prepare Thoroughly: Mature public speakers often find thorough preparation key to managing. 2. Practice Relaxation Techniques: Experienced speakers often employ relaxation techniques to calm nerves before taking the stage. Deep breathing, visualization, and progressive muscle relaxation can help reduce anxiety and promote a sense of calm. 3. Focus on the Message, Not Yourself: Seasoned speakers remind themselves that the audience is interested in the content of the speech, not in judging them personally. Shift your focus from worrying about how you'll perform to the value of the message you're delivering. Concentrating on the significance of what you have to say can help alleviate anxiety and boost your confidence.

Remember the purpose. The purpose of Public speaking is all about adding value to your audience, it has to do nothing with you. You may have good stories you may be an excellent speaker, yet, it is all about the audience. And guess what? The audience is kind and they are forgiving. Suppose if you mispronounce a word or miss some important point tell your audience. SHIFT THE FOCUS FROM YOURSELF AND FOCUS ON THE AUDIENCE.