You’ve done your research, you’ve prepared well, and you’ve rehearsed thoroughly. Then the moment arrives to deliver that all important presentation and your nerves kick in. Your heart is palpitating, your voice feels out of control, you’re light headed and you can’t breathe properly. What should you do?

We all feel a little nervous before we give a presentation, even if it’s just a slight anxiety as to whether all the technology will work. But for some of us, nervousness becomes something altogether more undermining. The symptoms, that vary from person to person, can include sweating, nausea, palpitations and an almost irresistible urge to walk away. Meanwhile, on the psychological front, the undermining voice in our head makes us question ourselves, our abilities and even our right to speak.

How is it that nerves affect us so badly in an area of life that is so important for us?  Where does this come from? And what can we do about it?

In a series of four blogs, I’ll be sharing ways of dealing with the physiological symptoms of nerves, and the negative thought processes that undermine our ability to deliver of our best. I’ll be giving my take on how to turn these thoughts around to transform the experience for your audience and for you. I’ll also be giving my top tips on how to deal with the physical symptoms of nerves on the day of a presentation or performance.

Look out for :

1. “You don’t know what you’re talking about!” Dealing with Imposter Syndrome
2. Dealing with the fear: “What if I can’t do it?!”
3. Dealing with the undermining voice that says “Who do you think you are?!”
4. Julia’s Top Tips for Taming Nerves in Front of an Audience

Julia Caddick is a Voice and Presentation Coach. Training Workshop Leader, and Singing Teacher. She has a thriving practice in Cambridge and coaches 1:1 in person and remotely.