It’s SUCH a beautiful day. Last week I was lucky enough to perform on stage in southern France. I also managed to squeeze in a bit of sunbathing and book-reading. It was sad to leave the amazing weather behind, but it’s just as nice here in London today!

Talking of books, I recently completed Joanna Penn’s excellent ‘Public Speaking for Authors, Creatives and other Introverts’.

Joanna is a best-selling writer as well as a speaker and entrepreneur. The info in her book is across-the-board useful for any introvert who’s setting up some kind of business that requires speaking to groups of people.

She talks about how to manage your energy before a talk (especially important given that introverts and quiet people get their energy from time alone). She also explores the need for pre-talk rituals to get into the right frame of mind before going on stage.

If you have to speak to a group, or manage a meeting, don’t be afraid to take some time out for yourself beforehand.

Three common techniques are:

  • deep breathing
  • repeating a comforting mantra
  • grounding yourself by visualizing roots that emerge from your feet and grow into the ground.

Whatever it takes, don’t hesitate to find a quiet spot, even if it’s the loo, and give yourself what YOU need before you go and give your audience what THEY need!