Action Precedes Confidence

Everyone is nervous.

The goal shouldn't be to eliminate nervousness before a presentation or a speech.

Our goal should be to increase our confidence.

The greatest basketball player of his era, Bill Russell, used to throw up before every game.

Meryl Streep explained that frequently, before filming, she has a moment where she believes that she can’t do it and wants to quit.

Meryl Streep.

You may not be filming a major motion picture or competing for your tenth world championship. But when you’re in front of a group of people, there are real stakes.

And if the most successful people in the world are nervous, it stands to reason that any well-intentioned, thoughtful person would also feel that way.

The trick is to channel that nervous energy into focus.

In the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, "Do the thing, and you shall have the power."

Having taught more than 2,000 people how to do this, here’s what I’ve observed:

You don’t get less nervous, and then go present.

You present, and then you get less nervous.

Stand up.

Say it out loud.

Get another rep.

Confidence Comes From Reps

When you combine repetition with the "How," two things happen:

You demonstrate behaviors that make you appear confident.

Over time, you actually become less nervous.

And it compounds over time.

Eventually, that fear becomes a small voice you can acknowledge.

I like to say:

“Thanks, but I’ve got this.”

So, practice it out loud.

Think deeply about the most important thing for your audience.

And when the time comes:

Stand up.

Breathe. (Don’t forget to breathe.)

Look at one friendly face.

Pause.

Deliver your first sentence with intention.