(c) iStockPhoto/kabliczech

Presenting to an audience can instill all kinds of fears for some many people. The imagination can create havoc with reality. Odds are you aren’t going to pass out or forget everything you have to say. But if you think you are you probably will. It’s that whole self-fulfilling prophecy at work.
I have fears about public speaking and I’ve been an instructor both in-person and online. I recently signed up for “Presentations Skills for Introverts” taught by Nancy Ancowitz , a course that she teaches at New York University.
The biggest take aways are that practice is necessary to get better. If you’re introverted you need to figure out what makes you comfortable in front of an audience. Does size matter? Do you prefer smaller groups to larger groups? Some people find presenting to people they don’t know easier than presenting to those that they do.
Watch other presenters. No one is perfect. Even presenters that we think are good have weaknesses. It was great to be in an environment where I got feedback on my strengths as well as the areas I need to work on.
Here’s my presentation from our last class -