Anyone have presentation anxiety?

22 Comments

1. AprilNovember 21,2022 at 4:08PM UTC

   Yes.
   Unfortunately it just takes practice and doing them over and over. Usually you are more nervous in your head than visibly so the audience doesn’t know. I don’t think it’s necessary to tell them.

2. AnonymousNovember 21,2022 at 4:32PM UTC

   Mine is not as bad as you are describing but yes. Practice helps.

3. AnonymousNovember 21,2022 at 5:09PM UTC

   I know exactly how you're feeling but honestly, like others mentioned, with practice you will absolutely relax into it. I now must present a couple of times a week and I don't even think about it where I was terrified in the beginning.

   Your communication style adapts over time and then your personality shines through. Humor and honesty helps your audience relate and allows you to breathe through the presentation a bit more easily.

   My suggestion is to set-up your computer ahead of time to ensure everything works well and then take a quick walk outside before the presentation just to help with your nerves.

   I recommend not practicing too much and remember to smile.

   Good luck.

4. AnonymousNovember 21,2022 at 8:24PM UTC

   Agreed! Technology today is amazing, but can often be more intimidating that the actual presentation itself. What we find works well is to log on a few minutes early to prep, or if it is a very large presentation, block off the time / conference room the afternoon before and do a dry run. There have been times we were even able to leave the setup in the room as is until the presentation the next morning. Good luck, you got this!

5. AnonymousNovember 21,2022 at 5:15PM UTC

   Support: Find a friend or family member that can listen to you present and give you feedback. This will also give you the practice that you may need.

   Co-presenter: Sometimes finding someone to present with you can take off some of the pressure.

   Education: There are excellent presentation or speaking classes out there as well. You need to remember most people don't come to presenting naturally and it does take effort.

   Know your audience: If you feel more comfortable noting you are new to presenting then I say go for it. However, sometimes it is important to talk to your team or your boss about ideas depending on who you are presenting to.

6. Patricia UrenaNovember 21,2022 at 5:19PM UTC

   I 100 % know the feeling!

   What helps me I practice in front of the mirror as well as learn more about the topic at hand. This eliminates a bit of that anxious feeling. I very much suffer from stage fright. But once I am up there, I push on through. :) In the past, I have blacked out and even stuttered severely. I don't mean to scare you more by saying this but just to show that I have survived and continue to present because I love my line of work. You got this !

7. Jessica MinterNovember 21,2022 at 5:23PM UTC

   Presenting doesn't come easy to me either, but the more I've done it...the more comfortable I get doing it. I tend to run though presentations at least 3-5 times beforehand. I block out the time on my calendar and dedicate the time so that I am familiar with what I am actually going to say...and how (i.e. inserting some humor, questioning the audience, etc.).

   It is important to find your grove and what works ahead of time as you prepare in attempt to lessen the anxiety. Some nerves are good, but we can sometimes increase the anxiety by worrying or harping on the negatives (excluding any medically diagnosed conditions, of course). Aromatherapy, deep breathing, reminding yourself of your positives, and actually presenting to a colleague might help as well.

   I'd also recommend discuss this with your manager. They might be able to give some insight on those who will be in the room, pointers, etc. :)

8. Jocelyn LyonsNovember 21,2022 at 5:39PM UTC

   I have anxiety with presenting, too! The things that have made it (slightly) easier for me have been to practice in front of others. I even stand in front of them to replicate the feeling. I also try to script myself and choose my words carefully so that they are easier for me to say. I project my voice so that I feel more confident and try to begin with (or insert) a little humor whenever possible because it helps me and the audience relax a bit, even when it's very subtle humor, just something to make everyone smile and ease some tension. Public speaking is probably one of the most common fears people have - so you are not alone. I won't promise it'll be easy, but you can definitely do it. Good luck!

9. Barb HansenNovember 21,2022 at 6:10PM UTC

   A friend of mine who is a Toastmaster gave me this advice, “Don’t apologize for any nervousness or problem—the audience probably never noticed it.”

   A side effect of being nervous/anxious is that we think that every little foible during our presentation will be scrutinized, and in fact people won't notice or if they notice, they certainly won't remember the little stumbles.

   Personal note:

   I presented at a Pitch event last week, and for some reason I was super anxious before the event.

   I've probably given close to hundred pitches over my career and after the first ten, I wasn't nervous anymore because I knew my company's pitch like the back of my hand - no one could ask me a question that I didn't have the answer for. And yet, last week, my anxiety rose, so much so that I considered bowing out of the event.

   I didn't bow out, I told myself that I had to do it, anxiety and nerves be damned. I logged into the Zoom call at the required call, and my pitch went well. I got good feedback from the investors and the audience. Anxiety is an odd beast, isn't it.

   Good luck!

10. Robyn WickNovember 21,2022 at 8:18PM UTC

    Here is a little trick that I learned from my days in theatre. Lots of times before we present or go on stage or perform in any form, we have a lot of adrenaline running through our bodies. Pick a nice solid object in the room - like a chair, table edge and think about grounding your energy into that object. Imagine that anxiety running from your hands directly into that object. You'll be surprised how much it will help you settle that anxiousness before your start presenting.

11. AnonymousNovember 23,2022 at 4:21PM UTC

    I was also going to suggest getting involved in local theatre or taking a course! It really helps even though it seems counterintuitive

12. Kathryn MontbriandNovember 21,2022 at 9:21PM UTC

    I shared a few tips on how to overcome meeting anxiety (which is similar to what you are experiencing) in this blog. The same practices might help you as you work through this dynamic.

    https://www.kathrynmontbriand.com/when-i-grow-up/009-how-can-i-stop-freezing-in-meetings

13. AnonymousNovember 22,2022 at 12:49AM UTC

    Here are some strategies and one factoid that have helped me:

    1)Know that no one knows your presentation as well as you do, and let that give you confidence.

    2)Think of your nerves as excitement that will give you an edge in presenting.

    3)Slow down and make eye contact with your audience— that will make you appear confident. If you are addressing a large group, make eye contact with one or more audience members who look interested or friendly.

    4)Don’t worry if you don’t know everything about the topic. No one does, and you will know more than your listeners. If someone asks you a question you’re not sure about, say something like “That’s a great question! The research that I’ve done suggests that [your best guess], but I’ll do some more digging on that and report back with the results.”

    I find that letting go of the need to know all the answers makes me far more confident.

    5)Sir Laurence Olivier, the great actor, got ill before every stage performance. Anxiety does not mean that you won’t perform well.

14. Arlene Frances Gottardo (Bryak)November 22,2022 at 4:29AM UTC

    Utilize props, charts, etc. if you are a bit nervous, this helps your audience focus on something else, besides you.

15. Crystal HowellNovember 22,2022 at 2:47PM UTC

    We all have to speak in a group sometimes, presentations, etc. Practice, Practice, Practice with family, friends, in front of a mirror. If you look at the wall behind the group, it allows you to calm down, and not look at 100 eyes on you, it appears you are looking at them. Know your subject, bite your tongue to keep focused, it works! Good Luck. They came to hear YOU speak, that is respect!

16. AnonymousNovember 22,2022 at 4:57PM UTC

    Most people have some form of public speaking anxiety! There is a lot of good behavioral advice in here, but I would just contribute one more thing: there are medications for this.

    After mentioning this issue to my GP, he recommended a beta blocker called propranolol, which works by calming your nervous system (thereby quelling symptoms like shakiness and blushing). I take a low dose before big presentations, and it honestly has been life-changing. So much of my nerves about public speaking were tied to appearing nervous, and knowing that I would appear calm was so reassuring. This class of medication has been around for more than 50 years so it is a very cheap generic. I especially like that you only take it when you need it, before a big event, so you don't build up tolerance or have to remember to take it at other times.

    I know other people who take medications like Xanax or Zoloft, but I did not like the possibility that these would alter my mental state or make me think less clearly. However, for some of my colleagues, these have been life-altering as well. One friend who takes Xanax before presentations told me that previously, she threw up before every one.

    Here is an article about the topic if you want to know more: https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/generalized-anxiety-disorder/propranolol-for-anxiety

    Hope this helps!

17. Kathleen HawkinsNovember 23,2022 at 1:28PM UTC

    I've always pictured the people naked, which can make you smile alot. But it takes away their power. And the more speaking you do, the better you get at it.

18. Melissa NobileNovember 24,2022 at 1:43PM UTC

    i think the hardest part is just getting started. Once the first few sentences are out, it becomes a conversation. Look just above their heads. Know that most of the attendees are there because they want to learn. The more you present, the easier it gets.

    I am a handbell ringer and director. I never get nervous when I’m directing - probably because I’m focused on keeping my ringers from freaking out - but ringing is a whole different game! My hands shake - until I get through the first piece and settle down.

19. TomBooleyNovember 24,2022 at 3:00PM UTC

    I recommend taking a public speaking class. I did early in my career and it changed my life!

20. Jeanne BaadeNovember 24,2022 at 4:35PM UTC

    Get involved in a local chapter of Toastmasters. It is a supportive group that will give you the skills and confidence you need

21. Liz MilneNovember 27,2022 at 5:37PM UTC

    As Jeanne says, learn how to speak publicly. It's NEVER fun, but a lot of the panic becomes more manageable.

    Two tips: practise your presentation out loud three or four times (until you're almost bored with it) because knowing the words, having the muscle memory of what you're saying, is really helpful; and meditation really works - big, calming breaths and reassure yourself that there are no monsters, it is mere humans who will be listening to you and, for the most part, they will be rooting for your talk to go well.

    Good luck xx

    I was at uni with a girl who had the full shaking, vomiting, feeling faint reaction to having to present and she actually got an exemption after her first attempt went so dreadfully awry.

    My mom was like that too, and she encouraged me to learn how to manage that sort of nervousness as soon as I had the chance (toastmasters-type club at school when I was 16) and I went from being so shy I didn't speak in class, to being fine with story readings and presentations. Now I'm a part-time uni lecturer and it's all fine as long as I've prepared and practised.

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