DEAR HARRIETTE: I have a big work conference coming up, and I am worried about my public speaking skills. Normally, I am pretty calm in social situations and I get along with everybody well, but whenever it comes to presentations or big meetings, I get really anxious.
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I just got promoted, so I had to prepare a speech at the last minute, and I do not want to mess up in front of my peers and higher-ups. The conference is in a few days, and I am struggling to keep my cool. I am distracting myself so I do not panic, but I also want to go over the speech as much as possible so that I am prepared. Do you have any advice for how I should prepare to go into this conference or how to keep my composure when I deliver the speech in front of hundreds of people from my company? -- Speech Stress
DEAR HARRIETTE: You are doing the right thing by practicing your speech and becoming familiar with what you have written. On the day of the speech, you should be able to “own” it -- meaning you should know what you are saying and merely refer to text infrequently rather than needing to read from the page. To get your nerves together, take three cleansing breaths before you go into the room. Consciously tell yourself that you are in control and that you are ready. Think about who will be in the room; your colleagues will want you to do a good job. Remember that you are presenting to a supportive audience. Look out at your peers and make eye contact with one of your personal confidants. That will give you positive energy as you begin. Then go for it!