3 Tips For Preparing For A High-Pressure Business Presentation
In the business world, whether you have a large corporation or you’re beginning your own small startup, there are going to be times when you’re required to give some kind of presentation. This may be a presentation to a big group or to just one or two people. Regardless of the scenario, it’s not uncommon for people to feel nervous as the time for their big presentation approaches. However, you don’t have to let these nerves overpower you and your ability to give a great presentation. So to help you feel calm and prepared, here are three tips for getting ready for a high-pressure business presentation.
Doing Good Rather Than Looking Good
A lot of the nerves that come from giving a speech or presentation have to do with worrying about how people will perceive you. But according to Joseph Grenny, a contributor to the Harvard Business Review, the majority of those fears will melt away if you focus more on doing good rather than looking good. As long as you’re prepared and have put in the time necessary to feel good about the information you’re going to share, you shouldn’t be worried about how the presentation will go. And if you’re able to look past the thoughts of how people will think about you and rest on your information to do the talking, you will feel much more relaxed.
Getting Into The Right Mindset
One major aspect of feeling prepared for a presentation is getting in the right mindset. If you’re worried about small things that have to do with presenting, those thoughts will overshadow your ability to focus on what really matters. Amy Morin, a contributor to Forbes.com, shares that people are more likely to be in the best mindset for a presentation when they learn how to manage their own self-confidence, retain control over the things they actually have control of, and focus on what will indicate being successful with their presentation. If you’re able to recognize and understand these three things, your presentation won’t seem as scary.
Don’t Forget To Breathe
After you’ve prepared as much as you can for your presentation, it’s now about conveying your message with confidence and ease. However, this is much easier said than done. When stepping up in front of an audience, Lauri Bonacorsi, a contributor to Levo.com, shares that many people experience their nerves through stammering, speaking too quickly, and rambling. If this begins to happen to you, the best thing you can do is take a second to remind yourself to breathe. This momentary pause will help slow you down and allow you to get your thoughts together. Focusing on your breathing will also help to pace your presentation and keep you from feeling like you’re running out of breath.
If you have a big business presentation coming up, use the tips mentioned above to ensure everything goes off without a hitch.
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