How to Pump Yourself Up Before a Presentation (or Calm Yourself Down)

Everyone prepares for public speaking in different ways. Some people need to amp themselves up, while others need to take a moment to breathe and calm down. To learn more about the impact of these different pre-talk rituals, the author tried out several common strategies: First, she experimented with empathy rituals, which are strategies designed to help you connect better to the people in your audience. Next, she tried exertion rituals, which reduce nervousness and anxiety. Third, she explored spiritual rituals, which can help you feel grounded and positive. Finally, she tried out mantra-based rituals, or soothing strategies of repetition and self-talk. While there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, experimenting with these different methods is the best way to figure out what works for you.