10 Things You Should Do 15 Minutes Before a Presentation

Use the Restroom

The No. 1 thing anyone should do at least 15 minutes before a presentation is use the restroom.
Suddenly needing to go to the restroom while making a presentation makes it difficult to focus on the
presentation. A well-organized and thought-out speech could be ruined by the sudden need to urinate
and having no way to do so without taking a break.

Check the Setup

Almost as important as using the restroom, and possibly more so, is checking the setup of the room and
any audio and video equipment used. It is embarrassing and can make a presentation awkward if the
video doesn't work or the microphones are silent. If you don't check this yourself, make sure someone
does.

Meet and Greet

If possible, take time to meet and greet as many people in the audience as possible. This helps ease
stage fright. It can also help the presentation go smoother. Meeting people and learning their names
makes them more approachable during the presentation. Even though it won't make them friends, they
will appear less as strangers and be easier to speak to publicly.

Practice
Everyone knows practice makes perfect. However, the first five minutes of your presentation should be
solid in your mind. This allows you to focus on the audience and maintain eye contact. Practice the first
five minutes of your speech or presentation several times 15 minutes prior to starting. Your
presentation will be much better and you will feel more relaxed.

Breathe
Deep breathing relieves anxiety by reducing the amount of oxygen that your brain and lungs receive.
This helps reduce the fight or flight response that adrenaline causes when you are anxious. Take several
long, slow, deep breaths before starting your presentation to relax your body.

Smile
Smiling does more than make a pleasant appearance. Smiling helps calm your nerves and relax your
body. When you smile, your body releases endorphins that make you feel good. This feeling will help
you appear calm and assured. Even telephone sales people smile while on phone, as it changes their
moods and shows through in their voices. The same is true for public speaking.

Focus
During the 15 minutes prior to your presentation, keep your mind focused on positive things and let
those positive thoughts and images flow through and relax your body. Focusing on positives helps
reduce the stress created by the upcoming presentation. Instead of putting all your focus on being
nervous, tell yourself positive things and create positive images in your mind.

Exercise
Exercise lightly before the presentation. This doesn't mean do a full-on aerobics routine and break out in
a sweat. Do some light squats or toe-touches to release the excess energy that your body builds up
when you are nervous. This will reduce your anxiety and help you appear calmer for your presentation.

Drink Water
If you can, make sure you have a glass or bottle of water available for during the presentation. If you are
hoarse or start to cough, this provides relief and prevents you from having to clear your throat. Avoid
salty foods and carbonated drinks at least an hour before the presentation. These dry your mouth out,
and you will need more water while you are presenting.

Summon Energy
At least five minutes before your speech or presentation, make sure you are standing or walking around
near your area. This will help get your blood flowing and build your energy. This is especially true if you
sit and wait for your turn to present. Your energy level will drop, and you will be more passive. Get up
and move around to summon energy.

Disclaimer: This is a research that I did 10 years ago and now, I can’t find the online source. Please claim
if this is yours so that I can acknowledge.