Scared of work presentations - advice

geeka

Hi, I'm looking for advice. I work in a role as an analyst for the NHS but part of the role is going more towards doing presentations/talking foramlly in front of people, I have a mortal fear of them, i've tried training courses and I just get myself in a state for weeks before. I've got a run though in front of about only 15-20 people for 30 mins in about 2 months and i'm getting very nervous. I would happily downgrade my job to avoid doing these and take a pay cut. I don't know what to do really, i'm a confident and outgoing person normally but the thought of me almost make me want to walk out and just run, its that bad!! Help.!
Any ideas how I could approach my employer, i've mentioned this in another team before and they sent me on a training course but its still there.

pinkshoes

What is it that you actually find scary?

How do you feel when you're watching someone else give a presentation?

Nightranger

geeka wrote: »

Hi, I'm looking for advice. I work in a role as an analyst for the NHS but part of the role is going more towards doing presentations/talking foramlly in front of people, I have a mortal fear of them, i've tried training courses and I just get myself in a state for weeks before. I've got a run though in front of about only 15-20 people for 30 mins in about 2 months and i'm getting very nervous. I would happily downgrade my job to avoid doing these and take a pay cut. I don't know what to do really, i'm a confident and outgoing person normally but the thought of me almost make me want to walk out and just run, its that bad!! Help.!
Any ideas how I could approach my employer, i've mentioned this in another team before and they sent me on a training course but its still there.

Hi,

I share your apprehension because I can be quite shy (people who know me actually don't believe this) in front of a crowd unless I have a guitar in front of me. I am not sure that any special techniques like imagining your audience naked really work and I confess I have never tried any. My method (used in presentations for jobs) is to get as far into the subject as possible. The problem with presentations that are an obligation (for a job interview or contracted within a job) is that you are often not part of the team that produced the information you are trying to convey. For example, I found it easy to give the presentation for my honours project at university even with few visual aids because I had done the work. This meant it did not matter if I missed something out because it would be questioned and I could fill in the details later. Whereas I have given a presentation for a job interview that had to be developed from the organisation's website. I looked at the remit of the job decided how I could link a few things together so that they flowed and then downloaded all the images, (I was only borrowing them for a file that was not being kept so no problems with copyright and all were fully acknowledged) texts and smaller graphics to a borrowed laptop. I then built the Powerpoint presentation on a three and a half hour train journey, with plenty of time to play about with the functionality within Powerpoint - don't try to be too flash with item/text sweeps unless you really want things to be dramatic, most presentations do not need it but put activity into the presentation like simple sweeps (usually in from the left) so that you have something to do (and talk about if it goes wrong, it can help nerves if something unusual happens). Now, I do not always write out a full script because I think it looks bad to be looking at and reading from a piece of paper. However, there is a lot to be gained by writing a script that you do not actually use because it helps you take in the subject and remember more key points. I would not go in without a piece of paper but I would tend to look at maybe no more than ten important bullet points as cues in as few words as possible and try to avoid picking up the paper, a glance should do. Invent a tag line if one does not already exist and work around this both to produce and deliver the presentation, it gives you something to return to if you get lost, it is simply a tool to help you ham it up and don't worry if your audience spots it, it only gets weary if you over use it. I have seen stand-up comedians use similar techniques and like your bullet points, it is just an aid to keep you to a script that hasn't been scripted (if you know what I mean). The main thing is to give yourself time and there is no harm in playing with the audience and even including them if the presentation allows it. There is a lot of mileage in trying to find a way to enjoy what you are doing rather than seeing at as an uncomfortable task. If you inadvertently miss something that you wanted to say, try to find a way to add it during question time rather than throwing it in as an out-of-place add-on at the end of the presentation - don't forget about it but don't let an omission spoil the flow. I have even done this by breaking in during a lull in questions.

Note on edit: unless you are presenting graphs and/or data Powerpoint (or an equivalent) is mostly to give visual interest and give you cues, try not to make it the central point of what you are doing.

I hope this helps.

paddyrg

The fear is entirely natural. Freddie Mercury was a somewhat meek man offstage. Anyone who isn't and hasn't ever been apprehensive is either a psychopath or lying (or both, I suppose). The way through it is practice. Training can only help a little, but practising the presentation at home for hours if necessary is what means when you come to the situation, your body already knows what to do - then you just follow through. After doing a few presentations and living to tell the tale will reinforce this, and you'll hit your pace. Yes, you'll still get nervous, but you'll deal with it better, and knowing you're fully prepared makes it so much less stressful!

DKLS

For me the key to getting over the nerves was practice, practice, practice and more practice and I could deliver a presentation.
I never enjoyed doing them but learnt a few tricks so I could survive them.

I became much better at presenting after attending a few evening sessions at the local drama group.

Its a good skill to have, especially in the NHS so is worth persevering with if you can.

If else fails try betablockers.

eamon

I've had do a couple of prentations for job interviews. The first one was amateurish and dreadful. The second so much better and indeed the interviewers commented favourably though I didn't get the job. Since then I've done a few at work and a one at my sisters 50th bash.
I should be terrified of presentations as I have a stammer but it rarely comes across. I agree with others, know your stuff, use cue cards and practice speaking out loud, don't load your powerpoint with flashy animations. Can I suggest making your slides = your cue cars. Lastly they want to hear you and as you are very much alive not read about you.

[Deleted User]

Personally, I have no fear of presentations, probably because I like the sound of my own voice too much... But this is a general anxiety issue and there are established ways of getting over the fear.

Take a look into the concepts of anxiety and how to treat it with Cognative behavioural therapy. You basically need to create a range of steps between where you are (petrified) and where you want to be (confident at speaking in public). The goal is to go from the comfortable to the uncomfortable in small steps, gradually eroding your anxiety through repetition and practice.

Eg. Start with reading out loud to yourself in front of the mirror. Do this for a few days, keeping a note of how you feel about it and how anxious you feel. Push this up to reading in front of a trusted friend or family member. Don't try to jump stages too quickly... Move it up to reading to several people of family members.

Once you are ok reading to people, you could try putting together a quick 5 minute presentation using 1 slide with 4 bullet points on it.

It might take a few months of repetition (and you will need to repeat and monitor how anxious you feel) and even then, the anxiety will never vanish.. But hopefully you'll get through and not be unable to so something that you want to do.

Good luck!

moneypuddle

If its so bad that you would be happy to take a pay cut to avoid doing that, why don't you consider doing that? I'm not saying you should give up easily, but it doesn't sound as though its a decision you would make lightly and life is too short to be miserable!

geeka

Thanks everyone, all great advice i think i just think of all the negative points like failing, failing and failing!! i know the subject matter but im presenting to some very intelligent and articulate people who've done it for years. i don't know if i had a bad experience when i was younger thats made me like this but both me and my sister are just the same. outgoing but when it comes to formal stuff we just goto pieces!

paddyrg

Oh, top tip - SLOW DOWN! Whilst the info is all familiar to you, you are likely introducing new concepts to your audience (or there is no point presenting it to them!). Because of this, if you go at what feels painfully slow for you, it'll probably feel about right for the audience. Don't overdo the detail (you can always put that in handouts and Q&A for those who want it), keep to the salient points.

dancingfairy

I've found rescue remedy really helps with stressful situations.
Can you get someone friendly in the audience and just focus on him/her?
You must be pretty good or they wouldn't be asking you to do it.
Think of times in the past when you've done something you didn't think you could do, how amazing you felt afterwards. Visualise yourself standing up, feeling confident, knowing that people were interested in what you had to say and see it all going well for you.
Best of Luck
df