NERVES HATE CERTAINTY
Andrea Pacini —
A few years ago, I watched a speaker freeze just seconds into their talk. They looked down at their notes, then back up – but nothing came out.
After a long pause, they managed to start again. By the middle of the talk, they were clear and confident. But the rocky start had already shaken the room – and probably their own nerves too.
Nerves hit hardest at the beginning of a presentation. That’s when the pressure feels highest. All eyes are on you, and your brain is racing.
One simple way to avoid that moment: learn your opening lines by heart.
Even if you like to improvise, memorise the first thirty to sixty seconds. Know exactly how you’ll start. That short stretch of certainty creates momentum – and gives your nerves less room to grow.
Once you’re past the opening, you’ll settle in. Your voice warms up. Your message flows. You feel in control.
Make sure the beginning is solid.
This reflection is adapted from Timeless Presenter, my book on the principles of communication that never expire.