How I Deal with my Fear of Public Speaking – 10 Steps that Help me Stay Cool During Presentations

In college I was terrified of being called on during class discussions.  In grad school, I would be a nervous wreck before presentations, even in small seminars.  It didn’t get much better until I figured out a preparation process and an approach to presentations that worked for me.  Probably the biggest thing is just doing more presentations in general to become more practiced and comfortable.  Fortunately, I’ve had the opportunity to gain experience.  I still get nervous, maybe more than others and especially if it’s a big deal or a big crowd, and I don’t think that will ever go away.  But I’m no longer terrified because I have a routine that, when followed, allows me to be far more comfortable and typically do a reasonably good job.  Here’s the set of steps I take to prepare for a big presentation.