Presentation Skills - Handling Anxiety

Most people have experienced it at some point in their business life. You are about to speak in front of a group and you realize that your breathing is not calm and relaxed. You are afraid that this will cause you to seem less confident when you are about to speak and will interfere with your presentation. The following is an exercise which may help you.

Stand in a tall, upright position, looking straight ahead with arms at your sides. The aim of this position is to allow a full and unrestricted flow of air around the body. Crossing arms or standing on one foot will prevent this and sitting is not ideal.
If you have to sit (for example, while waiting for the previous speaker to finish), sit erect, with hands relaxed in your lap and both feet placed firmly on the floor, slightly apart.

Breathe out first.
Breathe in deeply through your nose. Be aware of your stomach going out as the air comes in. Try and count to five as you breathe in.
Hold your breath for a count of three.
Slowly let the breath out through your mouth. Be aware of your stomach moving in as the air is let out. Do this for a count of five.
Hold for a count of three.
Repeat until you feel more relaxed and you can feel your heart beat slowing.

Note: It is important to start this exercise by breathing out first. If you are already tense breathing in first will add to the problem.

Breathe and Think
As you complete the breathing exercise think of a positive word or phrase that will help you to relax even further. For example, picture yourself at the end of the presentation confident in your performance with the audience smiling and applauding, or think of the word 'relax' as you breathe in and out, or use the phrase 'I feel good', or something else that feels good for you.

Do you have any comments that you would like to make about these tips? Please send them to resource @ mentoric.com.