Lesson 1 Criteria for Success

Practice makes perfect If you have little to no experience in public speaking, rehearsing in front of people can be a really helpful way to prepare. 

Presenting in front of family and friends can help to familiarise yourself with the feeling of being on stage, and also solidifies your knowledge on the topic. 
Getting feedback from anyone you can present to is super valuable too and can focus your practice. 
If you can’t emulate a real audience, practicing in front of the mirror and recording yourself are useful alternatives. It’ll feel cringeworthy, but it’ll put you in good stead for the real thing. 
Just getting familiar with the sound of your own voice for an extended period of time can really help navigate any nerves whilst on stage.
Building confidence Nerves are expected before public speaking or performing. Even the most established performers experience stage fright, meaning there’s almost no point in attempting to beat the nerves. 
There are a few tactics you can try to emulate confidence.
You’ve probably heard of ‘fake it til you make it’ and it can be a helpful mindset to embody. Our minds will look for evidence to prove what we tell it, so trying to remind yourself that you are qualified, talented and knowledgeable might help to negate any anxiety. 
If reaffirmation of confidence seems to help you, trying to reframe nervousness as excitement might be another useful outlook for you. 
Another way to craft confidence is look good, feel good. 
Taking some time to get ready before the presentation can help you to relax. Creating a self-care regime and preparing a nice breakfast on the day of the talk are two ideas, but having a think about what relaxes you the most is the best way to go. 
Planning an outfit ahead of time can also eliminate any last minute morning stresses. 
Remember, if your anxiety feels overwhelming, it’s OK to speak out. Finding someone you trust to confide in can sometimes relieve an aspect of the pressure.