2. Working with Nervousness 1. Grapple with reality: watch your recorded presentation!!

3. Questions to ask as you watch your videodisk: What is my greatest strength as a speaker? What is the weakest part of my presentation? Why? What, specifically, can I do to improve? –Exercises? Practice techniques? Organizational strategies? What should be the result of my improvement efforts in my next talk?

4. Checklist for Your Reviewer Is the structure of the talk evident? Does the speaker sound enthusiastic? Are the visuals clear and compelling? Does the speaker maintain eye contact? Is the subject matter clear and compelling? Does the speaker move naturally, without fidgeting? Does the pace seem right? Can you hear every word? Do the speaker and the talk hold your interest?

5. Nervousness is normal. Learn to accept and work with your nervousness. Let it give you energy to plan the presentation. Let it give you energy during the talk. But control it!

6. Practicing answering questions. Brainstorm possible questions. Practice answering questions as part of rehearsal (ask a friend to help). Practice responding to questions calmly. Don’t assume that tough questions are hostile questions. Q&A can be the most valuable part of the talk for you.

7. Don’t assume that tough questions are hostile questions. You’ve probably gotten someone really thinking! If question is long, offer to speak with questioner privately after the talk. If question is difficult, do not try to bluff an answer. Admit you had not “thought of [or studied] that.”

8. Tips for Overcoming Nervousness Try exercising before your talk Avoid caffeine the day of your talk Replace negative self-talk with positive. Check all equipment in advance Take a moment before speaking to get relaxed and adjusted to your audience. Remember, your audience wants you to succeed!

9. Relax, especially just before your talk.

10. Consider using techniques like these: Deep breathing Positive mental imaging (similar to what sports coaches suggest) – visualize your talk as a success.

11. Positive Mental Imaging

12. More techniques: Word games and image games (to take your mind off yourself) A tip from my experience: –Talk to people on your way up to the podium.

13. Working with nervousness What are your techniques? Check resources on the Web: –articles from business advisorsarticles from business advisors –newspapersnewspapers –training materialstraining materials –universitiesuniversities

14. Recommendations Plan your talk –Organize. –Repeat important information. Rehearse –Get feedback ahead of time. –Never try to wing it. Create visuals immediately, rehearse with them, and then change them!! Relax and have fun