no caffeine before speaking

If you are a nervous speaker, don't ever, ever drink caffeine before a presentation. It's bad enough with all the adrenaline running through your veins the last think you need is a stimulant.  I limit myself to one cup of tea that morning.  I think that people believe that coffee will make them a better speaker, but not with me.  It just makes my brain go into overdrive and then I get really confused.  So, try not to have any caffeine and you will see the difference.   -beverly