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I had a question sent to me recently, about presenting in front of a group of people.

“my problem is, no matter how much I prepare, I always screw up and get really nervous when it actually comes time to [present].”

The thing is, being nervous is your body responding to fear. Your body goes into survival mode by making you nervous and telling you to “go home and be safe”. But this fear is exactly the kind that is easy to face, because there isn’t any mortal danger!

Realize this: fear is the body’s reaction to possible discomfort or death. It is a figment of the mind. Forget about fear, and start thinking about how to deal with the task at hand: public speaking.

When you are standing in front of a group of people, about to present, the main fear-mantra that might be playing in your head is “what will they think of me?!?”

The trick here is to realize what is in your control, and what isn’t.

Other people’s thoughts are not in your control, so worrying about what they think is a waste of energy.

When creating a presentation, lecture, performance, etc. , you are in control of yourself and yourself alone.

When you walk into the room, it’s “The You Show”. This is a one act show, where you are the star. Everyone there is there to see you, and all you have to do is present what they came to see. If you are confident in your work (which comes from knowing your material cold), then all that matters is the work you put into your presentation. That’s the only thing that is in your control. After that, what the audience receives is in their control.

Begin the presentation in confidence. You are master of the material. The focus is on you, so you hold power of the room: you are the king of their time. If you wanted, you could stand still, and quiet, and they all would continue to watch you.

Most every audience wants you to do well. If you do well, you have made their time spent valuable. If you fail, pick yourself up. Learn what worked, what didn’t, and grow from that. Fear and nerves will only hold you back. Eliminate fear and nerves by practicing your material into muscle memory, being confident that your material is great, and that you are enough.

If you show weakness, they will turn to someone to lead. So don’t be weak! Be their leader and they will follow: Show them who is the boss!

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