How to Manage Presentation Nerves and Speak with Confidence

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Would you like to learn how to manage presentation nerves?

Even George Foreman, twice heavyweight boxing champion of the world, once said, “I was a tiger, a good fighter, in good shape, but I was always nervous before boxing matches”, and he didn’t even have to speak.

If a world champion can feel nervous before stepping into the ring, it’s no surprise that the rest of us feel anxious before stepping in front of an audience.

Why Presentation Nerves Are So Common

Reflect on your childhood. How many times were you asked to stand up and speak in front of a group? How often did they teach you how to do it?

Most of us weren’t; we were simply expected to perform.

Fast‑forward to adulthood, and suddenly your boss expects you to inspire a room full of people; no wonder your stomach flips.

As Mark Twain famously said, “There are two types of speakers: those who get nervous and those who are liars.”

Nerves are normal, they’re human, and they’re manageable.

It’s Not Your Fault — It’s Your Brain

Your brain is wired for survival.

Thousands of years ago, being part of a group was essential and standing out in the wrong way could mean danger. Today, when you stand in front of a room full of faces, your brain still whispers:

“What if I make a fool of myself?”

Even though we’ve evolved, our brains haven’t updated their software. It still interprets public speaking as a potential threat.

The good news is that you can train it.

What Not to Do

Let’s start with the classic myth:

Don’t imagine your audience naked. No one is that good at visualising, and if you were, it would probably make things worse. Instead, here are practical, proven ways to manage presentation nerves.

14 Ways to Manage Presentation Nerves

1. Take care of your audience

Your presentation isn’t about you. It’s about them.

The more you focus on serving your audience, the less anxious you feel.

2. Mingle before you speak

Introduce yourself to a few people. Smile. Exchange a few words.

It humanises the room and calms your nervous system.

3. Know three things

The room: arrive early, walk around, stand where you’ll speak, breathe.

Your content, rehearse until it feels natural.

How to breathe: inhale for 5, hold for 2 and exhale for 5, repeat for one minute.

4. Remember your purpose

Why are you speaking?

What difference will your message make?

Reconnect with that intention.

5. Be an “8 of clubs”

Carry the 8 of clubs in your pocket.

Let it remind you to show up as an 8 out of 10 in confidence, not perfect, just strong.

6. Practice being present

Stand in silence with a friend for two minutes.

Make eye contact and just be still.

It feels strange at first, and that’s exactly why it works.

7. Find the friendly faces

Look for the warm, open expressions in the room.

Start with them, then expand your eye contact.

8. Memorise your opening

The first minute is the hardest.

A strong, rehearsed opening reduces anxiety dramatically.

9. Challenge the “what ifs”

What if:

– You forget?

– They don’t like you?

– They ask you a question you don’t know the answer to?

These scenarios are unlikely, and even if they happen, you’ll survive.

Challenge the fear, don’t feed it.

10. Acknowledge the real source of fear

You’re not afraid of your content; you’re afraid of the unknown.

Reframe that energy as excitement, the same physical sensation, different meaning.

11. Remember: they can’t see your nerves

You might feel shaky, red, or hesitant.

Your audience almost never notices.

12. Take it out on the wall

Stand a few inches from a wall, palms flat, and push.

It releases tension and grounds your body.

13. Don’t make assumptions

Yawns, watch‑checking, whispering, none of these mean boredom.

Humans do these things all the time.

14. Focus on connecting, not presenting

A presentation is just a conversation with more people.

Connection dissolves anxiety.

Why Nerves Mean You Care

When we speak, our reputation feels on the line.

That’s why nerves show up, because the moment matters.

I’ve never met a speaker who didn’t want to do well.

Caring is a strength, not a weakness.

Try these techniques. See what works for you.

With practice, nerves become energy and energy becomes impact.

If you need a little help to manage presentation nerves:

– Book yourself onto a powerful public speaking course.

– Invest in some really good one to one public speaking coaching.

– Get yourself some excellent presentation training

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