Scared to do presentation

[flower_girl1]

Hi all,

tomorrow I have to do my last presentation of the year. It's the last big hurdle for me and I want it over. But the last presentation is what set of my anxiety which has lasted for months and been hell. Now I am really scared to do this presentation because I know my work isn't amazing and I will be lucky to pass. But what if it goes badly and this just starts all over again? I have never been this nervous about a presentation before.

flower_girl

[HA1]

Hi

When I have had to do public speaking or presentations for an audience, I have taken to trying to zone out of everything around me, focus only on the outcome I need to achieve - in effect I am 'spacing out'.  Using this approach I tend to ignore that I am in fact talking to a crowd about a subject that I am not necessarily an 'expert' in - I focus only on the presentation I have prepared.  This relies on being very comfortable about what you are presenting, does not matter that you have a limited knowledge of subject matter - what matters is that you know the content of your presentation.

As I might have mentioned elsewhere, I suffer social anxiety and find it almost impossible to relax in a crowd of people.

Good luck tomorrow.

K

[Neil_1]

Hi there Flower Girl

Hideaway has given you a very good response and suggestions for you.

Like Hideaway a big thing for me is to “know” your presentation (and that’s not meaning, know if ‘off by heart’) but just that you’ve practiced and practiced it.  And to do it out loud and even in front of someone – like a family member or even, hell, a pet – a dog is a good listener.  🙂   But I find it important to practice it often and especially out loud – so you can hear yourself saying it.

I can imagine how you’re feeling now, because it’s a common human response to be nervous and stressed out with regard to doing a presentation.  So your feelings ARE normal.  I had to perform two eulogies just recently;  and I practiced them over and over and then read them out;  very difficult and emotional stuff, but I got through – and I know you will too.

I don’t know if you can arrange this or not – but the other thing that helps me enormously is if given the chance, put your hand up as early as you possibly can;  to get up and do it and get it over and done with.  That way, it’s done and you can start to feel a little (or a lot more) relaxed.

I wish you strength and courage for tomorrow – and I would really love to hear back from you afterwards.

Kind regards (and good luck)

Neil

[gmc]

Hi Flower :),

I can understand how you feel and I have been there too. 4 years ago I was at the beginning of the anxiety I felt for a long while and I was unable to hold a presentation. But that was the moment I discovered acting and it became the career I want to follow. So with every fear of yours you can be able to transform it in an asset. Think about it. Try and go to courses that help you and think more about your anxiety problems. You may realize you need help form different specialists....

Hope I was helpful...

[Neil_1]

Dear Flower-Girl,

I'm just checking in to see how it all went for you?

I hope that you got through it ok and now that you're feeling much more relaxed and comfortable.

Would love to know how you got on?

Neil