1.6 Know your venue and how to get there
One of the biggest stress-providers possible is being late. So if you’re presenting at a meeting that’s a 45-minute drive away, leave yourself two hours and get there early.
I know this should be obvious, but I’ve seen so many people arrive at the last minute, sweating as the computer fails to start up while the audience waits impatiently, that I feel compelled to push this one home.
Getting there early has other benefits. You can join the coffee break and have a chat with a couple of attendees: tell them you’re presenting and looking forward to doing so. Be positive and tell that you’re looking forward to sharing your story. Mention a couple of highlights from your presentation: saying some ideas out loud helps you get your voice working and moves your mind into gear.
This will all reduce your stress levels and allow your body to be in control, to enable you to perform at your best. It’s also much more useful than using the time to run through the slides one last time, which often only results in an increase in tension.