An attack of nerves before an important meeting can afflict anyone. A case of the jitters can be overcome, or prevented,
If you appear nervous at a meeting with a prospect, you will come across as unprofessional, says Joshua Zuchter, a business and life coach in Toronto. “Most people don’t want to work with others who are not confident in themselves or in what they’re offering,” he says.
Here are some tips to calm the butterflies and boost your confidence:
> Prepare three points
Get rid of the jitters by getting yourself ready for the meeting well in advance.
“Know what you want to present in the meeting ahead of time,” Zuchter says. “Have three points and make it a priority to get those three points across.”
> Practice makes perfect
Rehearse the meeting to help you feel confident about it.
Try role-playing, Zuchter says. Practice what you want to say at the meeting beforehand.
Attend networking events, he says. Make it a point while you’re at the event to introduce yourself and start a conversation with a stranger
> Take a course
Go back to school to help you improve your social skills.
Many courses on effective communications and conversational skills are available at colleges and through public continuing-education programs.
Or you can work with a coach to help you become more relaxed around other people and at meetings.
> Perfect your look
Knowing that you are looking your best can help bolster your confidence. Wear your favourite professional outfit to so you’ll feel good about the way you look.
Zuchter suggests working with an image consultant to find the right professional, yet natural, look.
“How you project yourself is really significant,” Zuchter says. “That is, how you speak, how you communicate and, really, how you are presenting yourself.”
> Don’t think — do!
The best way to conquer nervousness is to take action, rather than to think about it.
Whatever is holding you back is in your own mind, Zuchter says. So, stop thinking about it, arrange the meeting and start preparing.