[laurieg]

> 11. the anxiety goes away

It is genuinely shocking how true this is. Also, it's not a gradual thing. I used to be very nervous about public speaking. I did it a lot and one day it just stops. Very sudden, very unexpected.

[WalterBright]

I still have it, but it goes away as soon as I start the presentation. Then it just becomes fun!

[ghaff]

Yeah, I still get a bit of stage fright especially in a large room but, as you say, it pretty much goes away once I start "performing."

[koolba]

A shot or two of liquid courage doesn’t hurt either. Though beyond that you risk exceeding the Balmer peak.

[cess11]

I don't think I'm alone in finding it quite suspect if people walk around smelling of "liquid courage" in professional settings.

[WalterBright]

Don't drink coffee before going on stage. At least when you're old like me.

[javawizard]

That's not what liquid courage means ;)

(Though that is otherwise good advice!)