Does fear of public speaking make you feel unsure of yourself? Would you rather do just about anything than be forced to give a speech? Do you find yourself avoiding certain situations because you know you might be required to be the center of attention?

In many career paths, and in many life events, public speaking is a requirement. Although it can be uncomfortable to begin with, you can overcome your fear of public speaking and get on the road to a success in your life or business endeavors.

The most important thing when trying to get over your fear of public speaking, is to plan ahead. Here are three different strategies that  will make your whole presentation process a calmer and easier one.

Prepare Before Your Speak

To begin with, you need to focus first on what will happen before your speech. Yes, before! Many people think that waiting till the last possible minute could make them feel calmer, but this is far from the truth.

Here are a few tips for what you can do before your speech to relax you. These ideas will make you feel even more confident about the speech you are about to give.

First, arrive early. This way you can have time to see the layout of the room you are going to present in, and to feel comfortable with it.

Second, check all the technological equipment. Odds are high you will be using some form of technology in your presentation, and the more familiar you are with it, the better. Check to make sure lights work well, your PowerPoint opens  successfully, that the microphone is plugged in, etc. Checking all of these in advance will lead to decreased anxiety about the “what if’s” that could take place during your presentation. Go ahead and double check them a second time to feel really secure.

Make sure that all of your materials are set up, and that you have a contact person easily reachable in case there are any issues with equipment. Now that all is set up, you are ready to practice. Practice, as the old adage goes, makes perfect, and the more time you allow yourself to rehearse, the easier the speech will be.

Lastly, make sure to allow yourself adequate time to relax in the space and practice your speech, and you will be taking a significant step towards  decreasing your fear of public speaking.