9 Reasons You’re Suffering From Presentation Nerves

Public speaking nerves are not unusual. You’re in esteemed company if presentation nerves get the better of you.

Warren Buffett, the billionaire chairman of holding company Berkshire Hathaway, would vomit before public speaking. But he now speaks to 40,000 people at the Berkshire Hathaway Annual meeting.

In order to get over her nerves, Beyoncé had to create an alter ego, Sasha Fierce.

People will often cite their issue as presentation nerves but dealing solely with nerves is like kissing a broken arm: it might feel lovely at the time but it won’t fix the issue.

If you’re looking to increase your confidence with presentation skills coaching , then you need to consider the whole picture.

There are several factors that cause a fear of public speaking resulting in that shaky voice and you turning as red as a beetroot.

Here Are Nine Reasons For Presentation Nerves:

1. Your presentation is an essay not a conversation: A script, with its extended sentences and layered clauses doesn’t reflect natural speech rhythms. You disappear and suddenly sound like AI in Beta mode.

2. You’ve inherited someone else’s PowerPoint: The slides have become the basis presentation content and you’ve no idea why they’re even there.

3. Public speaking feels unnatural: it’s like acting – badly: The words sound stilted, like you’ve switched into ‘presentation mode’.

4. You don’t feel qualified to speak on this matter: It could be a misconception that coaching will resolve or maybe…they’ve dumped you right in it.

5. You feel exposed: For example, there’s an expectation to tell a personal story that you’re not comfortable sharing or there are audience members who will challenge you.

6. You don’t know if you’re meeting the audience’s needs: In the dark about the what’s in it for them. There are some questions you need to ask before your present.

7. There’s information overload: Related to the section above. Because you don’t know what’s relevant in presentation content , you give them everything and then worry that they’re not listening and you’ll run out of time.

8. You forget to breathe: That may also be related to information overload where you’re trying to squeeze it all in a limited time. Pausing may seem awkward so you skip breathing. You can do that when you finish (on the floor).

9. You’re normal: Standing up to speak in front of an audience triggers flight, fight or freeze mode, echoing our reactions to fear when faced with a mammoth at the cave. Standing out in the tribe as Hunter Gatherers risks the survival of the group. You’d have been cast out and left to rot under a palm tree in those days. So that old brain, the amygdala, gets nudged into thinking the exposure of public speaking will leave us kicked out to wilt under Big Ben. Highly unlikely as there’s a Pret a Manger nearby.

Transformation?Is?Within Your Reach

One management consultant who attended my presentation skills training course stood in front of the small group of 8 strangers, opened her mouth to speak. Nothing came out. Her face froze, skin reddened and this authoritative person started sobbing.

This client embodied how others felt and immediately the room was filled with empathy. After paying attention to other aspects like her content and delivery as well as a 10 minute intervention on nerves, she had transformed. By Day Two, she started her speech excited, grabbed everyone’s attention and kept it throughout her presentation.

Such transformation of presentation anxiety to confidence is common with the right guidance.

If you’re looking to increase your skills in public speaking , click on the picture below to access my calendar and book your Discovery Call.