3 Ways to Conquer Public Speaking Nerves & Own the Stage

Do you find speaking in front of a group a nerve racking experience?

Does even the thought of standing up in front of a room of people send panic rushing through your body?

Being able to deliver a presentation or speak in front of a group (big or small) is one of the fastest ways to accelerate your career or grow your business, it allows you to communicate to the masses.

Imagine a networking event; you spend 2 hours frantically meeting as many people as possible, working hard to establish a connection, unless you know how to stand out and be someone who is memorable you will become part of a blended memory, you will be lost amongst the noise from the day. Alternatively you could look for the opportunity to present, to stand in front of the entire room and for 20, 30, 40 mins, using stories to engage and share your message. You create an experience and a moment that people will remember. Presenting to the room instantly elevates your position and status, you are automatically seen as the expert, you are seen as more trustworthy, after all, if you have been asked to speak surely you must know what you are talking about.

Maybe you want to stand in a meeting and put your opinion forward or deliver a presentation that will get you recognised and acknowledged. Your clients, colleagues and decision makers within the business will see you from a different perspective, when opportunities arise you will stand out from the sea of faces, you will be like a pink umbrella in a sea of yellow.

Okay, there are a few factors that need to be taken in to account, for example, public speaking is a skill, you need to know how to be an effective communicator and deliver your message, in the process showcasing your value. Then there is the whole nerves thing you have to battle against, but if becoming an effective public speaker will fast track your career or business growth don’t you think it is a skill worth investing in?

If you had asked me when I was 17 if I would stand on stage in front of 2000 people you would have gotten a very quick ‘NO’. At that time I was a shy, reserved and socially awkward apprentice carpenter, I only ever really came out of my shell and allowed my true colours to shine when in the company of close friends. Fast forward to today and I have performed over 850 live shows, been seen by over 5 million people on TV and performed as ‘The Mentalist’ in the world's biggest touring magic show ‘The Illusionists’.

My journey to being comfortable in front of an audience has been far from easy, I have had night sweats in the days running up to a presentation, I have stood at the side of the stage minutes before going on trying to come up with an escape plan, I have had the internal voice questioning why I am doing this and telling me to quit, the key to overcoming this fear has been leaning towards the discomfort rather than hiding away.

Please listen closely.... I still get a ‘feeling’ before every presentation, I can feel the energy moving around my body, I can feel my heart start to race, however I have learnt to control this feeling and turn it in to a powerful ally that fuels me toward the stage rather than hold me back.

I have experienced the impact being comfortable public speaking has had in my life, both emotionally and financially. My mission is to help you and other professionals build their confidence and be able to communicate in a way that creates impact.

If you are someone who struggles with the pre-speaking jitters here are a few ideas that have helped me.