How's work going?

[Rich B]

I'm fine in client pitches and more than happy to talk up and lead large meetings/workshops/etc... I've done quite a few presentation courses too, but I still don't blame you at all for freaking out at a mic'd up presentation Bean - I wouldn't be too happy with the prospect!!

[Shlergen]

I think it's fair to say EVERYONE is nervous about presenting. For me it's prepare prepare prepare. If I know the content and it's something I'm passionate about then it's generally good. Last minute, off the cuff and I am sheet.

Some people excel and are able to blag it but I imagine they are still bricking it inside.

[Beany]

Oh, I'm nervous about presenting in front of the company (in person) but that's just nerves and I can jump that hurdle without too much trouble, usually with the sort of humour they expect from me. Usually hyperbolic and absurd; I'm sure you can't picture it

Other people/larger spaces it appears offer a significantly bigger, full blown panic attack level of anxiety, which is (for those lucky enough not to have experienced) a very different kettle of fish an feels like a genuine medical emergency if you don't know what it is.

Obivously I do know what it is after twenty years of it, but it doesn't make it any better

Anyway, it's fine - I'm sure (as much as anything else) once I've got a bit more familiar with the clients who turn up to our customer days, it'll be more like doing a presentation for m'colleagues, not a bunch of strangers who will be JUDGING ME AND MY EMPLOYER AND WHETHER THEY COLLECTIVELY SPEND HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF POUNDS WITH US BASED SOLELY ON MY PERFORMANCE AND LITERALLY NOTHING ELSE, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING ELSE.

You know, little things like that

[dinny_g]

I’m fine with presenting but I really got thrown at the deep end back in my final year of Uni.

I had to present my thesis ( A flood analysis and alleviation plan for the river Dodder) to my class (42 people) and the Dean and several faculty members.

My fluid mechanics lecturer was hosting a conference for about 100 of the top flood people from all over Europe and decided to bring them to see my presentation. The fucker…

I just had to crack on but after that it never really bothered me. I was immediately confident but crap. Over time, I got better. It’s the thing I do not have any imposter syndrome with.

Mind you, us Irish never have a problem talking

[mik]

I don’t enjoy presenting, but I am way more comfortable with it than I used to be.

Best advice I had was to recognise your emotions. Woah - feeling nervous! Yeah OK - recognise that. Borderline fear? Yeah OK - recognise that. Accept the feeling - adrenaline - don’t try to suppress or fight it. Recognise it, and pause - breathe - realise its not going to prevent you from delivering. And move on.

I found that powerful and pretty effective.

[Beany]

I don’t enjoy presenting, but I am way more comfortable with it than I used to be.

Best advice I had was to recognise your emotions. Woah - feeling nervous! Yeah OK - recognise that. Borderline fear? Yeah OK - recognise that. Accept the feeling - adrenaline - don’t try to suppress or fight it. Recognise it, and pause - breathe - realise its not going to prevent you from delivering. And move on.

I found that powerful and pretty effective.

Lightheaded? Nauseaus? Get on stage and FAINT LIKE A WINNER YOU COWARD

[mik]

I don’t enjoy presenting, but I am way more comfortable with it than I used to be.

Best advice I had was to recognise your emotions. Woah - feeling nervous! Yeah OK - recognise that. Borderline fear? Yeah OK - recognise that. Accept the feeling - adrenaline - don’t try to suppress or fight it. Recognise it, and pause - breathe - realise its not going to prevent you from delivering. And move on.

I found that powerful and pretty effective.

Lightheaded? Nauseaus? Get on stage and FAINT LIKE A WINNER YOU COWARD

It’s recognising that nerves breed nerves, fear breeds fear. Attempting to recognise and accept it is a way to prevent the spiral.

Had worked for me when I felt like throwing / running away (whilst throwing) etc.

Your experience may vary etc.

[Beany]

Might have got through it if the fucking place hadn't spring a leak. Ah well

[duncs500]

I hate presenting, I've had to do one or two big-ish ones, and when forced I can muddle on through it ok. I used to work with a guy who could just stand up and chat and engage a ton of people like we were all sat in his living room, it is a remarkable skill. I think with training and practice you can aquire a decent level of competence, but to get to that level it has to be something a bit more deeply ingrained.

Standing up and facing a group of people is the hardest bit for me, I can sit at a boardroom table and run through some slides with the most senior people in a business without hesitation, but you ask me to stand up at the front talk to anyone and the nerves immediately jangle. Very odd really.

[Swervin_Mervin]

I still remember the first time I had to do a presentation as part of one of my modules at Uni. Even though it was only in front of the rest of my class, I was still crapping it. Not helped because I don't have a particularly loud voice, even if I try. But that one attempt made a huge difference. Since then, whilst I may have some nerves before presenting, it doesn't really knock me off my stride. It's one thing I'm really glad to see they encourage at my son's primary - they have a speech competition every year that everyone has to take part in, right from reception age, and they also encourage them to bring things in to talk to their class about whenever they feel like it.

Being cross-examined by Counsel is far more nerve-wracking - even if you're totally sure of yourself I still find that my brain is going at 100mph internally fact-checking everything before it comes out of my mouth.

And then there's public consultation. I fucking love these, especailly if you get a few arseholes that have just come along to have a shout at someone. It's always funny to see the faces of others when you give some shit back - none of them expect it. It puts the "mouth" on the back foot and actually often brings other members of the public on-side to some degree, as they realise you are actually a fellow human being and yes, that guy was being a prick.