Chapter 5
Control Nervousness: The Star Wars Theory
“I feel like a brainless, perspiring, quivering weakling who’s on the verge of throwing up. That’s how I feel before giving a presentation.” Those are the words of a vice president of a very successful Fortune 500 company. Somewhere between the fun of “show-and-tell” in kindergarten and the “tell-and-sell” of corporate America, businesspeople have learned to despise speaking before a group. In this chapter, we’ll look at ways to tackle “presentation panic.”
42. Never Say “Nervous”
43. Think Positive Thoughts
44. Behave Like a Duck
45. Soothe Your Symptoms
46. Relax
47. Prepare! Prepare! Prepare!
48. Focus on the Audience—Not on Yourself
49. Don’t Panic
50. Eat Like an Athlete
51. Exercise
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