Improve Your Communication Skills, 2nd Edition

Looking after yourself 
And you will 
still
be nervous as the moment of truth approaches. 
Remember that those nerves are there to help you. If you have 
prepared adequately, you should be ready to use them to 
encounter the uncertainty of live performance. 
You certainly need time before presenting that is quiet and 
focused. I need to spend about 15 minutes doing nothing but 
preparing myself mentally. I put myself where nothing can 
distract me from the presentation. Visualising success 
immediately before the presentation works for some people. 
Ahead of time, imagine yourself presenting, the audience 
attentively listening to your every word, applauding you at the 
end and asking keen questions afterwards. 
On some occasions it can be useful to meet the audience and 
chat with them before you start. This can break the ice and put 
you more at ease. In truth, I rarely feel comfortable doing this; for 
others, it can be highly beneficial in relaxing them and preparing 
for the presentation. 
The most important preparation involves breathing. Make 
contact with the deepest kind of breathing, which works from the 
stomach rather than the upper part of the lungs. Slow that 
breathing down, and make it calm, regular and strong. This 
works wonders for the voice: it gives it depth and power, and 
makes for a more convincing delivery. 
Along with your breathing, pay attention to the muscles 
around your mouth that help you to articulate. Try some tongue-
twisters or sing a favourite song. Chew the cud, and get your 
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133 Making a Presentation
tongue and lips really working and warmed up. A very simple 
exercise is to stick your tongue as far out of your mouth as you 
can and then speak a part of your presentation, trying to make 
the consonants as clear as you can. You only need to do this for 
about 30 seconds to wake up your voice and make it clearer. You 
will, of course, look rather silly while doing this, so it’s best to do 
the exercise in a private place!