One of the most common questions I get asked before I present is “Ah I don’t know how you do it, aren’t you nervous?” and my response is always the same: No, because everyone here wants me to do well. They have come to this event to see speaker that can give them good content, a stack of concepts to take back to their workplace, and to be challenged and entertained. No one here wants me to fail. No one here wants me to be nervous, stumble on my words, waste their time with pointless dribble or speak mono-toned or without energy that puts everyone to sleep. No one wants that. They all want me to do well, as it benefits them that I do, so how could I be nervous?
This is the same advice I give people who are chronic nervous interviewers that say “I just don’t interview well because I get so nervous.” No one on that interview panel wants you to do badly; they don’t want you to choke in your interview because they want to see you, your talents and how well you would suit the job. It does not benefit them either for you to stumble on your words or be unprepared.
If you are running a meeting, a training session, being interviewed or speaking at an event then shake off those nerves and feel confident that everyone that will be seeing you wants you to do well; for their sake as well as yours.
We have all been in that training session with an unorganised and flat trainer and wish the torture would end; we are in the training session to learn and be enhanced, not to feel awkward for the anxious trainer. The same with speakers and the same with you in that interview.
We all want you to do well. So head up, shoulders back, deep breath and do just that, do well.
