Want to nail your next presentation? Here’s why mindset matters

Hello!

Today I'd like to discuss?a really important?part of presenting, speaking or being in front of people - getting your mindset right.

This inner preparation is often overlooked as we jump to the practicalities of opening PowerPoint and getting a slide deck sorted.?

But actually, if you want to boost your performance and confidence in the moment - there's a bit more inner work to be done.

Watch?to my tutorial (7 mins) and share it with your colleagues

"It's going to go horribly wrong" - Challenge your negative script

Recently I was working with a client preparing for a big event. She wasn't an experienced speaker and, while we put together a fantastic presentation, I noticed she kept saying things like, "It's going to go horribly wrong" or "Other speakers will be much better." These kinds of thoughts can quickly derail even the best-prepared talk.

So, I challenged her. We worked on flipping that mindset. Instead of focusing on her lack of experience, we reframed it:?

• Yes, she was?just?starting out, but that was to be applauded.
• She might not be the most experienced, but she had a great perspective and valuable content to share.
• And what an exciting opportunity to practice some of the skills she had learned and to review how she might develop further next time.?

The script you write for yourself?matters

What you tell yourself before a presentation can make all the difference. But too often, we get caught up in perfecting slides, rehearsing our words, or worrying about nerves - and overlook the anxious thoughts running in the background.

Ignoring these inner doubts can put your presentation’s success at risk. So, take time to address them - it’s a key part of your prep.

Don't just turn up - support yourself?mentally

Even as a professional speaker, I don't just 'rock up' and stroll onto the stage. I spend time prepping my mindset.

It's like an athlete gearing up for a race - they don't just turn up to the track or arena, after doing the weekly supermarket shop. They prepare mentally, and so should you.

Visualise success

One simple, utterly free and effective technique is positive visualisation. Instead of imagining everything going wrong, picture yourself delivering value.

Imagine the audience looking engaged, nodding, soaking up what you're saying. Focus on what you want them to gain from your talk.

Don't forget to?breathe

Breathing might sound basic, but it's?incredibly powerful. Not just breathing, but breathing with intention. When you're nervous, focusing on your breath can help calm those jitters and keep you grounded. It gives you a sense of being in control too.?

Use your downtime?wisely

If you're commuting to a venue, use that time to practise. I often talk to myself in the car, running through key parts of my talk. It might sound silly, but affirmations like "I've got this, I know what I'm doing" can help embed confidence. At traffic lights, I like to think it looks like I’m on an important call. But who cares, it works!

Move and stay?active

Don't forget to move - adrenaline can be managed through simple stretches, a short walk, or some yoga. Staying hydrated also helps keep your body and mind in a good state. A quick stretch or walk around the block can do wonders for those pre-talk jitters.

Create your own?toolkit

These are just a few tips that work for me. Maybe for you, it's visualisation or a couple of minutes meditation before standing up to speak.?Maybe?it's a quick jog or a set of power poses. Whatever it is, find what works and use it to support yourself.?

Don't?leave it your inner script to chance, you are going to be brilliant!

Best wishes,

Penny

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