Whether you are going to stand up to give a speech, evaluation or topic, take a couple of deep breaths before you rise from your seat and a couple more as you walk to the stage. Make sure the stage is set how you want it so that you will be comfortable in front of the audience, pause, then begin. Speak calmly and watch your pitch, pace and pause so that you don’t speak too quickly or too slowly.
From Speakeasy 100 – June 2007