Confidence / Overcoming Nervousness / Lesson 31

LESSON 31 · OVERCOMING NERVOUSNESS

Before a Presentation

Thirty easy ways to prepare before a presentation, so you stand up calm and speak clearly.

Plan, practise, present. Be clear and kind.

40 tipsEasy things to say7-day plan

Start with tip 1

Jump to the 7-day plan

40 tips that really help

These ideas come from Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway (Susan Jeffers), The Upside of Stress (Kelly McGonigal), The 5 Second Rule (Mel Robbins), and everyday practice. Pick one tip and try it today.

TIP 1

Plan, practise, present

A good presentation is built in three stages, and nerves shrink at each one. Planning gives you a path, practising makes the path familiar, and presenting is just walking it.

TRY THIS
Write “plan, practise, present” at the top of your preparation notes.

TIP 2

Start with your audience

Ask who will be there, what they know and what they need. A talk built around their needs is easier to deliver because you know why you are speaking.

TRY THIS
Write three things your audience wants to take away.

TIP 3

Choose one main message

If listeners remember one sentence, what should it be? A single clear message keeps your talk focused and your mind calm.

TRY THIS
Write your main message in fifteen words or fewer.

TIP 4

Use the rule of three

Three main points are easy for you to remember and for listeners to follow. Humans find threes natural and memorable.

TRY THIS
Boil your talk to three points.

TIP 5

Open strongly

Spend extra time on your first minute. A clear start calms you and wins attention.

TRY THIS
Write and rehearse your first sentence until it flows.

TIP 6

Close strongly

End with a clear takeaway or a call to action. A strong ending is also a reassuring finish line for you.

TRY THIS
Write your last sentence in full.

TIP 7

Tell a story

A short true story makes a point memorable and is easy to tell because you lived it. It also relaxes the room.

TRY THIS
Add one story to your talk.

TIP 8

Use plain language

Short words and short sentences are easy to say when nervous. Avoid jargon unless your audience needs it.

TRY THIS
Read your script aloud and simplify any tongue-twisters.

TIP 9

Make slides simple

One idea per slide, big text and few words. Slides are a backdrop, not a script.

TRY THIS
Cut each slide to six words or fewer.

TIP 10

Use pictures wisely

A strong image can carry a point better than a paragraph. Choose clear, relevant images.

TRY THIS
Replace one text slide with a picture.

TIP 11

Do not read your slides

Reading slides loses connection and bores listeners. Talk to the people and use the slide as a prompt.

TRY THIS
Practise speaking without looking at the screen.

TIP 12

Practise out loud

Silent rehearsal hides problems. Standing up and speaking aloud shows you where you stumble.

TRY THIS
Do three out-loud run-throughs.

TIP 13

Time yourself

Know your length and keep slack. Running a little short is better than long.

TRY THIS
Aim to finish a minute early.

TIP 14

Practise your transitions

The moments between points are where people freeze. Write link sentences such as “That brings us to…”

TRY THIS
Add a link sentence between each point.

TIP 15

Practise with a friend

One kind listener can give feedback and make the room feel real.

TRY THIS
Present to one friend.

TIP 16

Record yourself

Watching a recording shows you that you look calmer than you feel. It also reveals tics to tidy up.

TRY THIS
Record one run-through.

TIP 17

Rehearse the room

If possible, practise in the actual room. Familiarity is a nerve-reducer.

TRY THIS
Visit the venue.

TIP 18

Rehearse with the technology

Test the slides, clicker and microphone. A tech check removes many fears.

TRY THIS
Run the slides on the venue computer.

TIP 19

Prepare for questions

List likely questions and sketch answers. It turns the Q and A from a threat into a conversation.

TRY THIS
Write five possible questions.

TIP 20

Plan how to handle "I don't know"

“That is a good question, I do not have the answer now, I will find out and let you know.” Honest and professional.

TRY THIS
Practise saying it calmly.

TIP 21

Arrive early

Time to settle, test equipment and meet people calms you. Rushing raises adrenaline.

TRY THIS
Arrive thirty minutes before.

TIP 22

Greet people

Chat with early arrivals. Talking to a friendly face before you speak turns the audience into people.

TRY THIS
Say hello to a few attendees.

TIP 23

Use a pre-talk routine

Breathe, release tension, say your phrase and picture your start. A routine is a steady hand.

TRY THIS
Follow a five-minute ritual.

TIP 24

Drink water

Keep water on the lectern. A sip is a perfect pause.

TRY THIS
Take a sip after your first point.

TIP 25

Stand tall

Stand with your feet apart and your weight even. A steady stance helps your voice.

TRY THIS
Check your posture before you begin.

TIP 26

Plant your feet

Moving around can be natural, but pacing from nerves distracts. Plant your feet for the first minute.

TRY THIS
Stay still for your opening.

TIP 27

Use your hands

Open gestures help you look warm. Let them flow naturally and avoid fidgeting.

TRY THIS
Practise two natural gestures.

TIP 28

Look at faces

Find a few friendly faces and speak to them one at a time. Eye contact builds connection.

TRY THIS
Aim to look at one person per sentence.

TIP 29

Breathe between points

A breath at the end of each point gives you a pause and a calm rhythm.

TRY THIS
Mark breaths in your notes.

TIP 30

Slow down

Nerves speed you up. Aim to speak slower than feels natural. It will sound normal to the room.

TRY THIS
Slow your first paragraph.

TIP 31

Pause

A pause after an important line gives it weight and gives you a moment to breathe. Silence sounds powerful.

TRY THIS
Add three planned pauses.

TIP 32

Use humour lightly

A gentle joke or smile can ease the room. Keep it kind and brief.

TRY THIS
Add one light line.

TIP 33

Recover from a slip

Take a breath, say “Let me say that again” or glance at notes. A calm recovery makes the slip invisible.

TRY THIS
Practise one recovery line.

TIP 34

Do not apologise for nerves

Saying you are nervous draws attention to it. Carry on warmly.

TRY THIS
Start with a smile instead.

TIP 35

Share your enthusiasm

Let people see you care about your topic. Enthusiasm covers many small flaws.

TRY THIS
Say what you love about your topic.

TIP 36

Finish and thank

A warm thank you ends neatly. Wait for the applause or questions with a smile.

TRY THIS
End with a clear thank-you.

TIP 37

Take questions calmly

Listen fully, pause, repeat the question and answer briefly. Repeating helps everyone and gives you time.

TRY THIS
Practise a pause before answering.

TIP 38

Gather feedback

Ask a trusted person what worked. It helps you improve and shows you what people liked.

TRY THIS
Ask two people for one positive and one tip.

TIP 39

Celebrate afterwards

You did something many people avoid. Treat yourself and say “well done”.

TRY THIS
Plan a small celebration.

TIP 40

Keep presenting

The more you present, the easier it gets. Look for small chances to speak.

TRY THIS
Volunteer for one short talk this month.

Easy things to say

When you are stuck, pick one of these. They work in many everyday situations.

OPEN

“Good morning, thank you for coming.”

POINT

“My main message is this.”

STORY

“Let me show you an example.”

CHECK

“Does this make sense so far?”

CLOSE

“To finish, remember this.”

THANK

“Thank you for listening.”

Your first week

One small action a day. Each day is only a little bigger than the last.

DAY 1
Know your point

DAY 2
Plan three parts

DAY 3
Make simple slides

DAY 4
Practise aloud

DAY 5
Check the room

DAY 6
Breathe

DAY 7
Present

Further reading

• Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway (Susan Jeffers)
• The Upside of Stress (Kelly McGonigal)
• The 5 Second Rule (Mel Robbins)

The tips above are written in our own words and are general guidance. The books are suggestions for further reading.

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These lessons share general learning and everyday ideas. They are not medical or mental health advice. If you feel very anxious, low or unwell, please talk to a doctor or a qualified professional.