3 tips to stop worrying and start winning when you present

Last week I was the host for a networking Christmas event. It was a lot of fun, but the lead up to it was less so.

I’d been originally asked to run a workshop as part of the event, then was also invited to MC.

I was thrilled to be asked. I LOVE MCing things. I absolutely thrive on a microphone, I am enthusiastic about getting people to clap loudly, I enjoy telling off-the-cuff jokes rather than sticking to a script.

I’d known about the event for months, but in the week leading up to it I felt nervous.

I’m not talking a-bit-of-butterflies nervous.

I’m talking tight-chested-mind-racing-can’t-think-about-anything-else nervous.

The event had been heavily promoted on social media, and my presence was used as one of the Big Things to encourage people to book a ticket.

For several weeks I’d been reading people’s comments saying things like, “I can’t wait to see Grace!” and “I wonder what Grace is going to do!”.

I’m used to promoting my own events and workshops but this felt different.

This pressure of people expecting something from me really got to me.

“What if they don't find me funny? What if I'm not as good as they think I will be? What if I don’t have anything helpful to say? What if I’m boring? What if no one joins in with the activities I have planned?”

Yes that’s right, reader. I was experiencing a good old fashioned bout of imposter syndrome.

The desperate need to entertain a crowd was similar to the pressure I’d felt last year when I was doing a lot of stand-up gigs.

The fear of being on stage and delivering a carefully planned joke with vim and vigour only to be met by a deadly silence is REAL.

Those demons of not living up to expectations were haunting me again. I knew rationally that it was going to be absolutely fine, but in the midst of anxious thoughts I found it possible to believe.

The good news is that I managed to navigate my imposter syndrome and calm my mind so that by the day I felt ready to go.

I speak to a lot of people who tell me about experiencing sleepless nights, heavy sweating and mind blanks in the lead up to public-speaking.

If that’s you, here’s what I did and my advice on how to overcome your fear of the front of the room.

Reframe your nerves

I watched a brilliant TED Talk years ago (Make Stress Your Best Friend - Kelly McGonigal) about how you can reduce the physiological impact of stress by reframing your thoughts.

I realised the weekend before the event I was telling myself on repeat, “I’m so nervous. I”m so nervous. I’m so nervous”. I remembered the TED talk and tried out the advice.

Instead of saying to myself “I am so nervous”, every time I had a pang of nerves I thought, “I am SO excited! My body is preparing me for this challenge.” It worked immediately. I couldn’t believe how effective it was, but really did make a difference. The brain is wild.

Wear your best power outfit

I’d recently had a shopping session with a stylist who had suggested I try on leather trousers. I was sceptical as they were an item of clothing I had previously only associated with Ross from Friends.

As soon as I put them on I felt INCREDIBLE. Cool, strong and in control. The perfect combination. The night before the event I was deciding what to wear. I knew I had to feel at my absolute best. I didn’t want to be worrying about wardrobe mishaps and I wanted to know I looked good.

I opted for the leather trousers and a blazer. I normally go for bright colours but something about the smart style of the clothes made me feel invincible. Take that imposter syndrome, I deserve to be at the front of this room.

Prepare out loud

My usual process for preparing for a workshop is to type up my notes into a template, skim read it a few times and have it printed out on the table to refer to.

However, this speaking gig required a different level of preparation if I was going to go in feeling cool as a cucumber. I printed out my notes, then created my own cue cards (cut up A6 pieces of bright pink card).

I broke my notes down into small sections and hand wrote them out in bullet points. Then came the important part. I read my notes out loud. At first, under my breath in a cafe I was working in, but then I moved to saying them as if speaking to 100 people in my living room.

Reading your notes out loud is often an overlooked part of the rehearsal process but it is SO important, particularly if you’re consumed by nerves. Hearing how the words will sound and getting used to how they will feel coming out of your mouth will help you iron out anything that doesn’t feel right, and will mean you won’t be taken by surprise on the big day.

Get Your Pitch On Point - Free Masterclass on 9th Jan

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I’ll be sharing the easy steps you need to take to create a 1-minute pitch that attracts your dream client.

Book your free ticket HERE.