Have you ever walked away from a meeting or presentation thinking, “I should have said that differently…” or “I completely forgot to mention…”?

You’re not alone. So many professionals hold themselves to a standard of perfection when what really matters is presence.

In fact, the most impactful speakers and leaders don’t always have flawless delivery—but they do show up with confidence, clarity, and connection. And that’s what leaves a lasting impression.

What Is Presence, Really?

Presence isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room or having the most polished script. It’s about:

• Feeling grounded in who you are,

• Projecting a calm and focused energy, and

• Creating a connection with your audience—whether it’s one person or one hundred.

Presence is the secret sauce that makes people lean in when you speak.

And here’s the good news: it’s not something you either “have” or “don’t.”
Presence can be cultivated—and it starts before you ever say a word.

The Myth of Perfection

Let’s debunk something right away: you do not have to be perfect to be powerful.

Yet so many professionals freeze or fumble when the pressure is on because they’re chasing a flawless performance. They second-guess their message, over-rehearse every sentence, or worse—avoid speaking opportunities altogether.

Here’s the truth: your audience isn’t looking for perfection. They’re looking for connection.
They want to feel your authenticity. Your passion. Your purpose.

That’s where priming your presence comes in.

The Shift: Prepare Your Energy, Not Just Your Content

You might spend hours refining your PowerPoint slides or practicing what you’re going to say.

But how much time do you spend preparing yourself?

Do you take a moment to calm your nerves?
Breathe deeply?
Shift your mindset?
Stand with intention?

That’s what it means to prime your presence—and it’s one of the most overlooked parts of presentation prep.

When you focus solely on content, you show up with your head.
When you prime your presence, you show up with your whole self.

A Simple Shift You Can Try Today

Before your next meeting, interview, or networking event, try this:

1. Take a breath. One deep, intentional inhale and exhale.

2. Speak a phrase that grounds you. Something like: “I am prepared. I am present. I’ve got this.”

3. Check in with your body. Unclench your jaw, roll your shoulders back, and stand tall.

These small shifts can dramatically change how you feel and how others perceive you.

Want to Learn More?

On July 15 at 12:00 PM Eastern, I’m hosting a free webinar that dives deeper into this topic:
Prime Your Presence: How to Show Up Confident, Focused & Ready to Present.

If you’ve ever felt like nerves get the best of you—or you want to show up more powerfully in high-stakes moments—this session is for you.

You’ll learn:

• The science behind preparation rituals

• Three tools you can use before any presentation

• How to build your own personalized “Prime Your Presence” routine

Click here to register – It’s free, and it might just change the way you show up forever.

Final Thought

You don’t need to chase perfection.
You need to prepare your presence—so you can walk into any room already knowing you belong there.