Networking Nerves?

You’re sat on your chair, you can see other people standing up and one by one delivering what seems like the best 60 second pitch you have ever heard.
They then sit down one by one getting ever closer to you; your heart is now beating so hard  you look at the person next to you in the hope they can’t hear it, you smile awkwardly trying to hide the nerves.  Another quick swig of water, your mouth is so dry you feel like your chewing sand!. Then, the person next to you arises from their chair,
“OMG it’s my turn next!”
It gets worse, everybody is in ore at the inspiring 60 second "Mr networking"  is delivering.
You hope for a power cut!
Perhaps you could fake a heart attack!
No such luck, its time, it’s your time. 
“Hi my name is Colin and my company is ……………” OMG what’s my company name, what do we do?
60 seconds seems like a life time, and your pitch, seems the worst ever.
You forget how sit down, your 60 seconds is finished but you nervously carry on talking complete crap, hoping for some sort of acknowledgement from people in the room.
Finally you sit down, you reach for another sip of water, your hands still shaking from the nerves and adrenalin but thank god it’s over.
Sound familiar?
You are not alone; I can guarantee to you that 80% of the room feel just like you.
Now the bad news, experts will tell you that they can cure this.
There is no quick fix.
You need to use the same formula that works on everything else you do, PRACTISE MAKES PERFECT.
Sorry if that’s sound dull and boring but its the reality.
I have stood up more times than I can remember, to the newbies in the room I probably sound like an expert. I still haven’t cured my nerves and my hands still shake every time, however I no longer hate doing it and each time it gets easier.
And it will for you.