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The Jitters: How Too Much Coffee Can Sabotage Your Presentation

is caffeine good for presentations?

I get it—I’m a coffee person, too!

Coffee is our trusty sidekick, ready to kickstart our day.

A warm cup of coffee (with my chocolate collagen) nestled between my hands is my happy place.

In the world of leadership, public speaking, running meetings, and media interviews – that extra cup can turn us from cool and collected into jittery and distracted.

Here’s a behind-the-scenes video from a recent client training.

One of the salespeople we were training was all over the place—hands and legs shaking, voice trembling. The culprit? Way too much caffeine.

While a little java can sharpen your focus, too much can turn you into a human vibration machine, distracting your audience from your stellar message.

You might think an extra cup will give you the edge before a big meeting or speaking gig, but it might actually trip you up. Here’s how to keep your cool and your coffee consumption in check:

  1. Keep It Cool: Stick to one or two cups and cut off caffeine a few hours before your presentation.

  2. Hydrate Like a Boss: Water is your best friend. It keeps you balanced and less jittery. Try to drink at least 16 ounces of water before that first cup of coffee in the morning. See how long you can wait to hit the fresh brew.

  3. Chill Out: A quick walk or some deep breathing can calm those nerves way better than Nespresso or Starbucks.

Ready to take the stage like a pro? By keeping your caffeine in check, you’ll be more focused, confident, and ready to wow your audience.

Remember, you want your message to shine, not your jitters. Next time you’re gearing up for a big talk, skip that extra cup and channel your best, most centered self.

You’ve got this!