I get where you're coming from, Lucia. We've all been in situations where we feel like the weight of the world is on our shoulders. It's really tough, especially when you're passionate about the work you and your team have done
You know, sometimes it helps to try and shift your perspective. Right now, it feels like the stakes are sky-high, but maybe they're not as high as you think? After all, you're presenting to people who want you to succeed. They're your colleagues, your team, they're on your side
I completely get where you're coming from, it's never as simple as just "getting over it". But try to think of it this way: You're not just presenting; you're sharing something you're proud of. You've spent countless hours working on this project. So when you're up there, try to see it as an opportunity to share that journey, to show everyone just how proud you are of what you've all achieved. And remember, you're not alone - you've got an entire team of people who have your back!
I used to dread public speaking too, but then my teacher shared an interesting technique with me. First, you have to pinpoint what your main fear is when it comes to public speaking. It could be anything really for example, you might be afraid of losing your voice in the middle of your speech. Once you've identified this fear, grab a sheet of paper and jot down a heading that sums up your fear. Something like "Fear of losing my voice" Then, set a timer for 40 minutes - not a minute less - and spend that time writing down all the ways this fear benefits you personally. Maybe it means "no one will judge me", or "I will never say something stupid". After exactly 40 minutes, try to come up with a phrase that helps you understand what's really behind your fear. Something like "when I stay quiet, I don't get involved with people who are toxic to me". Finally, think about how you can apply this understanding to your daily life. Maybe it means surrounding yourself with people who lift you up and make you feel comfortable. It's not a quick fix, but it's definitely helped me understand my fears better.
I totally understand your fear. I'm about to start college and the thought of having to perform or present in front of my peers is already making me anxious. I've been okay with school performances because I knew everyone and it felt comfortable. But college? It's a whole new ball game. I'm worried about being judged by professors and even people I don't know. It's just so much pressure. I don't know how I'm going to handle it, and the fear of being judged is what scares me the most. I'm afraid they'll think I'm not smart enough, not good enough. It's a lot to deal with, and I'm not sure what to do about it.
@xoxo Thank you for your kind words and understanding. I know it's a common problem, but it doesn't make me feel better. Your comment about shifting perspective really resonated with me. I suppose I have been looking at this as a high-stakes presentation when in reality, I am sharing our hard work with people who genuinely want to see us succeed. It's a comforting thought that they are on our side. I'll definitely try to keep this in mind as I prepare for the presentation and when I present. I'm actually beginning to feel a bit more at ease but there’s still a long way to go till I get rid of all my fears. Thank you again for your supportive words, they've made a huge difference!
@efrain40110 Your comment hit home for me. It's true that I'm not just presenting, but sharing something we're all incredibly proud of. We did pour our hearts into this. I should see this as an opportunity but as usual, I'm blowing this out of proportion. I also appreciate your reminder that I have an entire team behind me. It's easy to feel alone in the spotlight, but knowing they are there for support helps a lot. Your advice has given me a new perspective that I'll carry into my presentation. Thank you!
@katie Thank you for sharing your technique with me. It's fascinating how confronting our fears can lead to self-discovery. I'll definitely give your method a try. I think my fear is not just about forgetting my speech, but also about letting my team down. I've always struggled with articulating my thoughts under pressure, and this fear is amplified in public speaking. Gotta think about what the pros of that would be, but so far I'm not doing a good job of thinking of any.
@rschmitt88 I completely understand the fear of being judged, especially in a new environment like college. It's important to remember that these fears are often self-imposed and not reflective of reality. I know that sounds funny coming from me. I'm sure you're more capable than you give yourself credit for. I hope we both can overcome our fears and shine in our respective fields. I wish you all the best in college!
A little update: I've been trying to practice, standing in front of the mirror, repeating the presentation over and over again. But every time I close my eyes and see a room full of people in suits, I feel nauseous. I don't know what to do. I'll try the techniques you suggested, but so far, it's not looking so good. Whyyy me?
@Lucia Hey Lucia, I just saw your post and I wanted to share some encouragement. First off, I totally understand how you're feeling. Public speaking can be really scary, especially when it's something as important as the presentation you're preparing for. But, I promise you, the more you practice, the better you will get and the more confident you will feel. If necessary, repeat your performance 50 times, even a thousand times, if that's what it takes to calm down. I had to do the same thing when I was in school. I was always the person who over-prepared for class presentations because I was so nervous. I would practice my speech until I knew it by heart and could recite it without even thinking. And you know what? It really worked for me. I found that the more prepared I was, the less nervous I felt. So, keep practicing and I promise you, you'll do great! Also, remember that everyone in that room is rooting for you. They want to see you succeed. So, take a deep breath, believe in yourself, and you'll do an amazing job. Can't wait to hear how it goes!
Anyone feels little nervous before giving a speech even professionals do feel nervous. Accept that you will always feel little anxious about giving a speech. It's normal and common to feel this way but dizzy, lump in throat can be handled. You need to go to a counsellor as you are facing this problem from quite a long time. Along with it you can follow these strategies or techniques:
Look into the mirror and practice your speech several times. Practise in front of your friends or relatives or your core team members. Ask them suggestion and feedback to improve your presentation. practising it will help you to memorise your main points and avoid relying too much on notes or slides. Try to practise at least in front of 5-6 know crowd. This will help you to face the crowd.
when you present start identifying who is the buddy who will listen, nod and smile to your speech. Look at only those team members or people who nod or smile at you so this will give you positive reinforcement through out your speech.
it's a speech so go slow and take time to breathe in and breathe out. This will keep you calm.
write down everyday a positive affirmation " i am a confident speaker" or "i have prepared well for this project presentation" or "I can do this". See which affirmation works for you and say it everyday looking in the mirror. Write it down at least 10 times till it sets in your subconscious mind. Every time you feel nervous repeat this affirmations.
Start making videos of yourself talking about this presentation and put it in social media apps. Just put little bit gist of it.See the response. This will boost your confidence as well. If you don't want to put it in social media then just record for yourself .Even if you stumble in between don't stop the recording. later on listen to it, watch it and see how you can make it better.
Research on who the audience will be. be prepared to face them. Visualise everyday those people sitting in the hall and you presenting your project before them. Remember there will always be someone who is bored or will yawn. Don't get panicked seeing such cues. Focus on conveying the message instead of what you think people or team members will be thinking while you are giving the presentation.
remember your entire team has already seen your hard-work and efforts. Just a project presentation will not define your efforts, hard-work and talent.