Build a Pre-Talk Routine

Give yourself a short ritual before any high-stakes moment: a round of 4-7-8 breathing, a glance at your anchor phrases, and one mental replay of a time you handled pressure well.

Athletes don't wing their warm-ups, and your meetings deserve the same. A fixed routine makes the first minute feel familiar instead of chaotic. Run it enough and the cue starts doing part of the calming work for you, so your first sentence has a better chance to land cleanly.