15 things you should do in the 15 minutes before a big presentation

You have to give a big, important presentation in just 15 minutes. Your heart is racing, your palms are damp - you're starting to panic.

It's completely normal. In fact, most speakers, beginners and veterans alike, readily admit to feeling nervous in the moments leading up to a big speech or presentation.

Darlene Price, president, of Well Said, Inc. and author of "Well Said! Presentations and Conversations That Get Results," tells Business Insider that instead of trying to lose the butterflies, you should aim to leverage them. "The adrenaline surge can fuel your body with the energy and enthusiasm necessary for a great performance," she explains.

Whether you're stepping to the front of the room to speak to just a few people, or making a grand entrance in a ballroom to address thousands, here are 15 ways to effectively use the 15 minutes before you go up to prepare your body and mind for peak performance: