Dealing With Stage Fright

There's a little secret to controlling the intensity of yourstage fright symptoms. As you're waiting in the lobby beforeyour presentation or just before you get out of your car to seeyour prospect, take the edge off by doing some simple exercises.Press your palms together--hard--for 30 seconds. Grip your steeringwheel or the arms of your chair as hard as you can for another halfminute. This will burn off some of that excess adrenaline in yoursystem while leaving you the energy you need to conveyenthusiasm.

Now take a couple of long, deep breaths, using your diaphragm tocompletely fill your lungs. Slowly let out each breath to a countof 10. This steadies your voice for a powerful openingstatement.

Your stage fight has now become a reservoir of energy.You'll focus better on the prospect, and your presentation willbe more intense and powerful.