
Practice, Practice, Practice – The Ultimate Cure for Nerves
Mar 07, 2025The more you practice and go over your material, the calmer your nerves will be before a presentation. Even if you practice in front of your teddy bears!
The More You Practice, the Less Nervous You’ll Be
Repetition.is the best way to eliminate nervousness! The more familiar you are with your material - and the flow of your material - the more confident you’ll feel. Confidence comes from preparation, not talent. Even the best speakers rehearse extensively before delivering a speech.
Here's a couple Effective Practice Tips ...
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Rehearse in front of a mirror or record yourself.
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Present to a small group before the big day.
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Avoid making last-minute changes—trust your preparation!
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Simulate real conditions by practicing in the outfit you’ll wear and under similar lighting.
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Practice using pauses effectively; silence can be powerful when used correctly.
On the last day - practice confidence, not your deck!
As a professional public speaking coach I recommend you take enough time to practice before the event BUT never touch the content on the last day! Instead, focus on reinforcing your confidence and belief in your message. This will help you to become a better and more confident speaker!
Here's a video I made that covers calming down before you present
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyhPb-hICL8
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to what you should do when you’re nervous before a talk or presentation. The exercises described above vary significantly from one person to another.
XOX
Meta Groselj
PS: Want expert feedback on your presentation skills? Join my coaching program or book a free session!