Calmfidence® Key #1
TRAINING & PRACTICE

• Everyone can always get better and become an even more effective
  communicator!
• Old pros need to keep in mind that just because they’ve been doing
  something a lot, maybe for a long time, it doesn’t necessarily mean they
  are getting better, they could just be reinforcing bad habits.
• It’s invaluable to have a professional presentation trainer point out things
  you cannot see. They will uncover things other do not see or will not tell
  you about.
• Stats show: 80% of presenters are below average, 10% are just average, 5%
  are very good, 5% are exceptional.
• Most presenters never tap their full potential because they don’t make an
  effort to keep improving. (God gives all birds their food, but doesn’t drop it
  into their nests.)
• Myth: You’ve either got it or you don’t. Fact: Training and practice can take
  you from below average to exceptional if it is your true desire to be a great
  communicator.
• You must see yourself presenting on videotape, you will see and hear
  things that you didn’t even know you were doing. The camera doesn’t lie,
  but friends, family, and co-workers might (so as not to rock the boat).
• As Norman Vincent Peale once said “the trouble with most of us is we’d
  rather be ruined by praise than saved by criticism!”
• Ego will kill a presentation.
• Never give a presentation without having it taped somehow, and
  review it over and over.
• Record & practice presentations at home and review, review, review.
• Your skills will not fail you under pressure if you constantly practice and
  work to improve.
• If you don’t think practice and training are critical, keep your fingers
  crossed that your competition has the same attitude.

Calmfidence® Key #2
HANDLE NERVOUS ENERGY

• Breathe, breathe, breathe. You’ll have control over your heart rate and your
  oxygen by taking control of your breathing. Slow, deep, steady breaths will
  automatically calm you down by about 50%. Breath in for 4 seconds and breath out slowly for 8 seconds. It’s the exhale that releases the stress and nervous energy. Don’t fight nervous energy expect it to be there. Nervous energy also makes you sharp by heightening all of your senses. It gets you ready to perform. Without it you would lack the fire in your belly that is so needed to convey passion and enthusiasm.
• Prepare, prepare, prepare. Many people procrastinate and leave things to the last minute. If you prepare your presentation in advance, modify it, add and subtract along the way, it becomes your baby, and will become second nature when that nervous energy comes into play. If you wait until the last minute you will not be as confident or in control.
• Don’t EVER memorize your presentation. This is the kiss of death. Write
  out your outline, fill in the meat and potatoes, and then turn it all back into
  short bullet points that you can glance down at quickly for direction. Bullet
  points keep it conversational. Following a script never will.
• Remind yourself before, and constantly throughout that IT’S NOT ABOUT
  YOU, IT’S ABOUT THEM, HOW YOU CAN HELP THEM, BE OF SERVICE TO
  THEM, SOLVE A PROBLEM FOR THEM, EDUCATE THEM – GIVE THEM SOMETHING OF VALUE!
• Also keep in mind that people generally cannot tell your level of
  nervousness as much as you can.
• The best performers and presenters do not go into a situation thinking “I hope they like me”. They go in thinking “how can I be the solution to their needs”, “how can I help them understand how this benefits them.”
• Remember the audience is not hanging on your every word, no matter how
  wonderful you are, or your product or service is….sorry. They are taking
  those mental exits, thinking about work, food, relationships, to do lists etc.
• But they do want to enjoy and learn from you, and they are more than
  willing to meet you half way.
• They want you to do well.
• As Helen Hayes told me: “Butterflies are good, they get your juices going,
  it’s your job to make them fly in formation!”
• Focus on helping your audience meet their goals not selling your stuff or
  yourself.
• Believe that you have something to stand up for, you have talent to share.
• Get rid of “have to’s” Do not focus on “I have to sell, convince, win, prove, etc. Change your inner dialogue to “I choose to help as many people learn today as possible and help them leave with something of value.”
• Energy is energy. We choose to label it positive or negative. That feeling in
  your stomach and pulse is the same if you are thrilled or nervous.
  • Change your label from nervous energy to “excited energy”. Tell yourself
  this every time, over and over before you begin and during your
  presentation.

Calmfidence® Key #3
THE PRE-PRESENTATION

• The tone of your presentation is set before you ever say a word. It’s in your energy, your body language, your intention.
• Know the environment of the room well in advance.
• Be a gracious host.
• Set up early.
• Meet and greet, introduce audience members to each other if applicable.
  Gather information on your audience when possible through casual
  conversation.
• When possible, create a seating chart with first names of your audience
  members. You can use these during your presentation to personalize your
  message.
• The audience is getting cues from your facial expressions, posture,
  organization, friendliness, enthusiasm, and personal appearance even
  before you have a chance to open your mouth.
• Dive in with great energy right out of the gate, now is not the time to warm up or build up to a momentum.
• As you begin your presentation: look prepared, plant yourself, set notes,
  make eye contact, pause, smile, state your purpose, use questions, quotes
  etc. to stir interest.
• Don’t: adjust yourself, clear your throat at the mic, shuffle your notes. Don’t ask for a pass because you are nervous or don’t normally do this.
• Take the spotlight off yourself and make it be about and for the audience. Be authentic, be human, tell a story that gives them the leading role.

Stay tuned for our next 3 Calmfidence® Keys to Public Speaking coming soon!