HOW TO FEEL MORE CONFIDENT & PREPARED IN BIG MEETINGS

HOW TO FEEL MORE CONFIDENT & PREPARED IN BIG MEETINGS

 Attending an important meeting, no matter what it is, can be a little nerve racking. Whether it’s an interview for a new job, a tutor meeting at university, a pitch in business or even just a meeting with your boss. Often we can find ourselves getting a little worked up, nervous or anxious and sometimes self doubting too.

But fear not, it happens to us all, no matter what our age, our experience or our ability, learning how to cope with your own nerves, ease them and channel your inner confidence is something we all need to do, or remind ourselves of, every now and then.

Today I wanted to share the five ways that I prepare myself for a big meeting, in order to feel confident, calm and collected.

5 TIPS TO HELP YOU FEEL MORE CONFIDENT & PREPARED IN BIG MEETINGS

For me feeling confident and prepared for a meeting is essential, I hate to feel anxious, incapable or inadequately informed when I’m tackling a big meeting, and so I always follow a few steps to help myself get into that positive mindset.

#1 DO YOUR BACKGROUND

First up, often we feel anxious or nervous because we feel unable or inadequate for the task ahead, we don’t want to fail or look stupid, and we doubt our ability to tackle the task! But most of the time that’s not the case, and you can quite easily overcome that feeling by simply getting informed, understanding everything you can about the meeting, the situation, the role if it’s an interview. Drown yourself in information, research like you’re a detective, and become informed. Once your informed your able to have an opinion, to feel as though you understand things more, and in turn you’ll feel more confident and able.

#2 PRACTICE

If you’re going into a situation where you are presenting, pitching or even being interviewed, you might find it helpful to rehearse, to practice and prepare answers or certain elements of your presentation. When I’m pitching for new regional or global business at work, I’ll always spend some time at home rehearsing out loud to ensure I feel comfortable with what I’m saying. Back in my school days i’d write out all my revision over and over again to be sure it stuck, I’d even record my French verbal exam work. Practice does make perfect.

#3 REASSURE YOURSELF

We all need a pep talk every now and then, even as an adult. Post that morning shower, give yourself a serious pep talk in that steamy bathroom mirror. ‘You can do it’, does wonders for the esteem. Pat yourself on the back, encourage yourself, psych yourself up, and generally just boost your courage.

#4 BREATHE

Don’t forget to breathe. Spend a few minutes in the morning or before your meeting simply breathing in and out properly. Deep breaths. Not only will it help calm you down, it’ll give your brain some well needed oxygen to perform at its best. You’d be surprised how much simply focussing on your breathing can help bring down your heart rate and ease your nerves.

#5 POWER POSE

And best of all. Before you walk in that room. Nip to the bathroom and give the power pose a little go. Amy Cuddy  explains the science of body language in her TED talk … but all you need to know is it works.

“Standing in a posture of confidence, even when we don’t feel confident — can affect testosterone and cortisol levels in the brain, and might even have an impact on our chances for success.” Amy Cuddy

Get that super woman pose down to a tee.

And there you have it, my little tricks and tips to boost my confidence, help me feel prepared, and ease those nerves. I’d love to hear about your own tricks and tactics, and of course know if you’ve found these useful?