Public Speaking Nerves

As a presenter and a presentations coach, one of the most common questions I'm asked is "How do I overcome nerves when getting up to present?"

Yes, there are things you can do that will help to calm your nerves, during the preparation, when you're about to speak and whilst speaking (subscribers to my newsletter will be receiving a free 1-sheet on this subject soon).  But I just wanted to make a quick observation that's the first thing I always say to anyone who asks me about handling nervousness........

Last night my husband and I finished a lovely Christmas Day spent with my parents by watching the South Bank Show, a Little Britain Christmas Special.  The cameras followed Matt Lucas and David Walliams during the making of their latest TV series and stage show as well as interviewing them and investigating their roots.

Toward the end, the cameras were backstage with Matt and David before the opening night of their stage show in Portsmouth and David, in particular, was stressing how badly he was suffering from nerves.  He actually commented on the body's reaction to being nervous.

I'll bet this came as a surprise to a lot of people who think that those who are famous or who perform all the time or who are revered by others simply don't get nervous before performing in public, but that's not the case.  It happens to us all to some degree.

I always say that you should welcome your nerves because it's a sign that you're concerned to do a good job.  Nervousness sharpens your instincts and gives you an edge that would be missing if you were blase about performing.

Food for thought and something to remember.  Watch out for my 1-sheet on "Dealing With Nerves When Presenting", coming in January.

Comments

[Anon Emous]

having seen you speak several times, I'd say that if I looked as good on stage as you do, my nerves would be a thing of the past!