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Stress Management

Simulating a yawn

Open your mouth wide to simulate yawning, or even actually yawn -- it helps cope with stress.

Tensing all body muscles (especially arms and legs)

Then instantly relax them, and repeat this many times.

Dropping your arms

And relaxing them.

Speak slowly during a presentation

Do not apologize during a presentation and do not correct yourself.

Do not use words that express uncertainty -- do not say "I'm not an expert," "I'm not sure," etc.

Body gestures: do not tense up, do not cross your arms, do not touch your face, do not gesticulate too much, smile.

During pauses, take a calm breath in and out instead of saying "uhh" or "well." If you forget your words, start the sentence with the last word from the previous sentence. Ask the audience a question or ask for a moment (if it is an interview). Pause after delivering important information.

Do not look down. Maintain eye contact 50-70 (50% of the time when speaking and 70% of the time when listening), but the more eye contact the better.

Keep your chin raised (moderately).

Ken Robinson's method "What, So What, Now What?" is also useful for structuring your presentation. Start with the introduction (What), then move to the main part and climax (So What), and finish by explaining the significance and next steps (Now What). The goal is not only for the audience to listen but also to act based on your presentation.

A typical presentation structure includes an introduction, main body, climax, and conclusion. Surprisingly, only about 18% of public speakers use all of these elements. Lacking structure makes it harder to hold the audience's attention.

How to start and finish a speech

Capturing the audience's attention in the first seconds is key. Here are several techniques:

  1. Ask an interesting question: This can be a rhetorical question or a direct question to one or two people. It engages the audience from the very start.
  2. Tell a personal story: Stories from your life or from well-known people help establish a connection with the audience.
  3. Hold a physical object: Holding an object can attract the audience's attention and give you time to establish contact before starting your speech.
  4. Use an illustration: A simple visual can set the tone for the presentation. It is important that it does not distract from the main message.
  5. Start with a quote: Quotes can be powerful, but use them carefully. They should be relevant and match the topic.

At the beginning of a speech, avoid apologizing or downplaying your abilities. Start confidently and with a strong voice. Memorize the first 3-4 sentences to ensure a confident start. Use eye contact to establish a connection with the audience before you begin speaking.

Never end a speech with the words: "That's all I wanted to say." Instead, tie the conclusion back to the introduction. Provide a call to action, reminding the audience of the key points worth implementing. Thank them for their attention, add humor if appropriate, or finish with a memorable quote.