How To Handle Nerves When You're ALREADY On Stage - 3 Instant Tips | Apuuli Babigumira I'm already at the pulpit, at the podium, on stage - How do I deal with nerves? We always prepare for fear BEFORE the presentation, but what about when you are ALREADY there? You look at the audience and suddenly you get nervous. We hear it in your voice. We see it in your shaking, fidgeting hands. Sometimes no one sees it, but YOU feel it. Someone says you looked confident and in your head you're like I wish you knew. Here are 3 tips you can use WHILE you are on stage: 1. SMILE Keep smiling while you present. It releases feel-good and relaxation hormones - serotonin, dopamine and endorphins - that calm your body and your whole self. If you are genuinely passionate about your topic and love your audience, you can even release oxytocin, the same hormone released during love-making. Smile and the hormones will be released. 2. PAUSE When you pause, you breathe. That breath suppresses hyperventilation - the sudden fluctuation of your heartbeats that makes you feel anxious. To control nerves, control hyperventilation. To control hyperventilation, control your heartbeat. To control your heartbeat, control your breath. To control your breath, PAUSE. Pausing also kills FILLERS - um, uh, you know, like - which happen when your mouth runs faster than your mind. Give your mind 1-2 seconds to recollect, and it will serve you well. 3. ENGAGE No rule. Just be genuine and engage. Say: Let me ask you, when you're nervous what do you do? Because I think I'm nervous right now. Or: Before I tell you what I think, what do you guys think? The moment they interact back, you create rapport. You start feeling at peace. By the time they come back to you, you're back to normal. Afraid they won't respond? Be optimistic. What if they interact so much that you love them? The audience wishes you well. If you are genuine and authentic, at least one person WILL cooperate. People are usually kind when you're up there - allow their kindness to come in. RECAP CHALLENGE: What are the 3 tips? Comment below. Want to master this? Join our FREE Public Speaking Masterclass bi-weekly. And don't miss the FLUENCY SUMMIT 9th October Makerere University School of Public Health Auditorium Register: apuulibabigumira.com +256 783 499 999 / +256 745 545 809 #PublicSpeaking #StageFright #PublicSpeakingTips #ApuuliBabigumira #HowToHandleNerves - @apuulibabigumira