There is probably a story you tell that you know elicits a certain response. It could be a hilarious story about some college prank, a weird story about coincidental meetings, a touching story about a child or a heart-rending story of someone's illness.

The point is, over time you've learned what provokes the response you want and you're able to repeat those words or behaviors.

Certainly rehearsal builds confidence. And it is, without doubt, the single biggest factor in reducing nervousness. But rehearsal is also a great teacher.

Have you ever walked out of a presentation thumping your hand against your forehead, thinking, "Ugh! I shoulda said . . . " That presentation was your rehearsal for the next time.

You can rehearse in small chunks. If you have twenty minutes of material, you don't need to block out twenty minutes to rehearse. Rehearse one idea for a few minutes. Then get on with what you were doing.

Rehearsal doesn't have to be an isolated activity either. Rehearse with other people and let them toss in ideas.

You don't have to stop your day in order to rehearse. Rehearse while you're walking the dog or doing the dishes or driving. But it is important to rehearse out loud. Speaking the words out loud actually creates neural pathways in the brain. That's partly why rehearsal creates confidence.

In formal presentations, most people are most nervous at the beginning. In addition, the audience is most critical in the beginning. So if you have a sixty-minute presentation to give and only ten minutes to rehearse—rehearse your opening minutes three times.

The only way you can botch a rehearsal is to not do it.

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