Presentation Anxiety

We have a presentation coming up at the end of the year to help us reflect on everything that has happened and what we have learned. I am not a fan of presentations - in fact, I used to start hyperventilating at just the thought of it. I have slowly been getting better at it throughout the year, and despite still feeling quite nauseated as I wait for my turn, I do seem a lot more confident while I am presenting. The main thing I do to help this is not overthink it. That gets me even more nervous. I do not write a script, otherwise I sound robotic and trip over my words because I am talking and reading at the same time, or making sure it goes 'right'. The way I tackle it now is to write down a few points per slide that I need, and then don't look at my notes while I am presenting. I just remember the subject I need to be talking about that then treat it as a conversation (albeit a one-sided one). This makes my speech much more natural, and come on - how much passion and excitement can really come out of a rehearsed word for word presentation? Of course there is always a chance for me to forget one or to things, but I definitely sound a lot more like I know what I am talking about and that I am interested in it.

Although I do have a strategy now, I still find it nerve wracking while I am waiting for my turn, so I am going to look something we discussed earlier on in the year about fighting that anxiety;

1. Get Blood Flowing! 
Excercise has a positive effect on your nerves for up to 12 hours (and don't you always feel better after exercising?) I will definitely try to keep moving before my presentation and get myself pumped up.

2. Rehearse, Don't Memorise
Practice - but don't memories. Be able to improvise, but know what you are talking about. Memorising 'implies that you are dependant, lack confidence and are controlled by your talk'. I have this one down, I think.

3. Show Appreciation
If you show that you care for your audience, they will care for you. Speak about things relevant to them, and look them in the eye! But not for too long. That would be a little bit awkward.