Confidence 'Tricks'
Hints to make you look and sound more confident from Kevin Ryan

Water
Always have a glass of water handy.  It is invaluable to:
1. Stop the dry mouth feel that accompany nervousness for some of us
2. Break the cycle if you feel that you're starting to 'race' or talk too fast
3. Create a dramatic pause while looking confident
 

Breathing
As you are seated in the 5 minutes before you speak, concentrate on slow, deep, controlled breathing.
This will have the effect of stopping your mind from 'racing'.
When you reach your speaking position and settle yourself, take a good, slow deep breath as you smile at everyone before saying your first words.

Settle Yourself
Walk slowly and deliberately to where you will say your first words.  Like with breathing, the control you exert over yourself physiologically is replicated psychologically
If you have them, take the time to arrange them so you will be most able to see them when required.
Look up and make eye-contact with 2-4 people in different parts of the room who you know will be supportive of you.  You will have selected these people beforehand. Only when you feel confident enough to take a chance with others' reactions to you should you vary your eye-contact from your pre-chosen group.

Do everything you can to give yourself complete control over the first 30 seconds of your presentation, because if this
goes well, it's most likely that the rest of it will go well.

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