What can you do to minimize or eliminate the anxiety that occurs before or during a presentation?

The best way to avoid anxiety is to practice as much as possible. The more familiar you are with the topic, the better you'll be able to deliver the speech. You can memorize your opening so that you can approach the beginning of the presentation with more confidence. Immediately before the presentation, take a short walk to relax. Drop your arms to your sides, shake your wrists gently, and breathe deeply several times. At the front of the room, look for friendly faces to concentrate on for the first few minutes of the presentation. Finally, you can join and participate in Toastmasters International to improve your public-speaking skills.