This summer I've been busy co-producing, directing and acting in a cabaret.
My focus was on making sure the group was properly rehearsed, everyone had their props, knew their cues, and sorting out any last-minute "dramas" - as well as all the behind-the-scenes work that goes into putting on a show.
Phew - it was a lot!
We rehearsed all weekend and I had very little sleep the night before.
As people come in to take their seats and I welcome them and hand out programmes, a thought suddenly flies into my head -
"What if my sketches go wrong? I haven't spent much time on them because I've been so busy doing everything else!"
And then another:
"What if my sketches let the cabaret down?"
I feel the nerves creeping in. I say to myself
"Even of one of your sketches goes 'wrong', you'll handle it" and
"You've performed many times before - you're trained in this"
And then I let it go.
I couldn't rehearse those three minutes again. I couldn't control exactly what would happen.
But I could trust the preparation I'd done, trust my experience and be present in the moment.
So that's what I did.
I went on stage, played, responded to what was happening and, most importantly, enjoyed it.
And yes - you can watch one of my sketches below if you'd like. It's only three minutes!
Clowning has taught me something important about public speaking - you can't be in your head and fully present with your audience at the same time.
I often work with people who think they need to get rid of their nerves before they can speak confidently.
But nerves aren't necessarily the problem.
The aim isn't to eliminate the nerves. It's to stop them from being in charge.
Good preparation is important. Know your material. Practise your opening. Get familiar with the room, your slides and anything else you can control.
Then, when the moment comes, let go.
You can't control exactly how your audience will respond.
You can't predict whether you'll forget a word, lose your place or have an unexpected question.
And you don't need to.
Prepare properly. Trust yourself. Let the nerves be there without giving them the microphone - and then get into the moment.
Because that's when the magic happens.
You're no longer worrying about how you're doing.
You're actually communicating.
And that's when your audience can connect with you.
So next time you're preparing for a presentation, keynote, pitch or talk, remember:
Do the preparation.
Let the nerves come and go.
Trust yourself.
And then get out of your own way and enjoy it.
Your audience doesn't need a perfect performance.
They just need you.
The wonderful you.
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