What are you doing 10 minutes before the mic goes live? The lights are dimming, the MC is reading your bio, and your heart is doing triple-time. Top-tier speakers don’t just pace around nervously; they have a ritual to prime themselves for a powerhouse performance.
Your Pre-Stage Checklist:
- Power Posing: Stand like a superhero for 2 minutes to lower cortisol.
2. The "First 60" Visualization: Just visualize the first minute. Nail the opening, and the rest flows.
3. Hydrate & Hum: Warm up your vocal cords with room-temp water and quiet humming.
4. Find a Friend: Pick one friendly face in the front row and treat the talk like a chat with them.
Note: Nerves are just energy without a direction. Don't try to "calm down"—try to get excited instead.