If you struggle with delivering presentations at work, or speaking up in meetings, you may be experiencing ‘Performance Anxiety’.
Performance (or ‘Presentation’) Anxiety falls under ‘Social Anxiety’ category.
In this article, I’m going to share 3 top tips on how to deliver a successful presentation.
Let’s talk about how severe this type of anxiety can be:
First of all, even the most seasoned of speakers/ salespeople will feel anxiety in performing situations. They are, however, trained to cope with anxiety nerves and will go into a confident ‘presenter mode’ despite feeling anxiety.
Companies are recognizing the need to INVEST in the sales staff and hire coaches and therapists to help with presentation nerves.
What is the impact of dealing with Presentation Anxiety?
For someone with severe low self-esteem and anxiety problems, the impact of delivering a presentation can be devastating.
Physical symptoms can include:
Shaking, endless trips to the bathroom, shivers, inability to talk and many more.
Psychological symptoms can include:
Feeling like the brain had been ‘hijacked’ and inability to form words; self-doubts, fear of judgment; ‘imposter syndrome’ and many more.
This may result in:
Avoidance: asking someone else to step in or reschedule the presentation; or
Escape from the situation (leave altogether).
These two behaviors may result in TEMPORARY relief, but they bring no benefit to the sufferers’ skills and future presentations.
If this goes on for a long time, the stress and pressure of ‘performing’ can lead to physical and mental burnout.
UNDERSTANDING PRESENTATION ANXIETY:
Trigger Situation:
Work Presentation
Thoughts:
‘I can’t do it.’
‘Everyone will see how incompetent I am.’
Feelings:
Terrified.
Angry.
Incompetent.
Tearful.
Physical Symptoms:
Lack of sleep.
Nausea.
Throwing up.
Headache.
Resulting Behavior:
Employ ‘Escape or Avoidance’ tactic.
Feel temporary relief.
Next Presentation’s Coming Up:
Vicious Cycle starts again.
ANXIETY FEARS WERE NOT CHALLENGED & SYMPTOMS GET WORSE.
realization you need help.
FREE Assertiveness Workshop:
FREE Workshop: Understanding Social Anxiety
As a Psychotherapist and a Coach specializing in Social Anxiety (umbrella for Performance Anxiety, Dating Anxiety, Driving Anxiety etc), I help clients with Performance Anxiety on weekly basis. I know what works and what doesn’t.
Here are my 3 top tips (tested and proven) on how to deliver a successful presentation:
1. Learn about ‘Focus Awareness’ so that you are able to TASK FOCUS (Presentation) and NOT SELF-FOCUS during presentation.
Start by DOWNLOADING YOUR FREE, POWERFUL ‘FOCUS AWARENESS GUIDE’- you’ll also receive two other ‘Performance Anxiety Relief Techniques’ in your free download:
2. Recognize your Anxiety Triggers
What is a ‘TRIGGER’ in anxious situations?
A trigger is ANYTHING that makes you AVOID OR ESCAPE the situation you’re facing.
It could be as simple as opening the door to the meeting room.
Learn about your THOUGHT PROCESSESS: What is going on when that trigger hits and an autopilot takes over?
How realistic are these thoughts? Is there another viewpoint?
Of course, what I’m describing here takes weeks, if not months, to practice in therapy.
But recognizing YOUR OWN CRITICAL INNER VOICE is a great start to turn Unhealthy Anxiety into Healthy Anxiety.
3. Let go of the belief you need to be in ‘total control of the presentation’ and know EVERY SINGLE ANSWER TO EVERYTHING.
People tend to think they need to know the answer to EVERYTHING. That’s a very faulty belief, and also one that sets you up to FAIL.
It’s OK to show vulnerability. It’s OK to say, ‘Let me get back to you with an answer.’ Show that you’re human.
If you feel you’d benefit from further support, please book a complimentary consultation:
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