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Mental health

Anxiety - should I apply for this job?

5 replies

isitforme · 06/12/2009 12:32

Have name changed! I have been invited to apply for a lecturer job at a college I previously studied at. I'd love to do it but I am worried I will regret it, and get anxious and sick about it. I have quite a lot of experience of public speaking and have been fine, but I always feel nervous beforehand, and a great sense of releif and achievement afterwards - not sure I could maintain this state as a full time job, iyswim! I also blush but have learnt o cope with this by ignoring it (I am 34 now and have always had this 'foible'). Do you think I'll get used to the job or are lecturer types born not made? Anyone any experience of this? Many thanks

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isitforme · 06/12/2009 12:33

s'cuse typos. Forgot to say, I have a hitory of anxiety and panic attacks but have been fine for years, always anxious they'll return though!

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madmouse · 06/12/2009 15:14

I would say that everything you do regularly loses its edge and becomes mundane. My first court case was eeeeek, now it's routine, which court which judge get on with it.

So you would not maintain this high adrenaline at all times.

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isitforme · 06/12/2009 15:25

Thanks, thats exactly what I hoped to hear. I have been known to put myself in positions which seem a really good idea at the time then, when they arrive, thinking eeeek, why did I think I'd like this?! I didn't want to do it with a full time job, as you can imagine. Did you feel very worried when you started (you are a lawyer or some such?) and when did you get used to it?

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madmouse · 06/12/2009 19:27

Yes I practice law, there's a bit more on my profile. When I started I was thrown in at the deep end and going to court for the first time was terrifying. When did that change? Well it is a good few years ago now but I think it was a gradual process. You learn the ropes, watch the experienced ones, get to know the judges, your opponents, get a better grip on your preparation and on procedures and suddenly it is not such a big deal anymore.

It is normal to feel nervous beforehand though. My dh is a minister and still doubts himself and the entire universe just before preaching the sermon he has spent days crafting. Every week.

You may find that your public speaking experience really helps you, for me it is the other way around. Having stood up in front of some of the meanest judges around I find things like speaking to the entire local NHS trust, preaching to 120 women or leading church services no problem at all. Funnily enough I can get really flummoxed in my small bible study group where just about every member is a friend

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isitforme · 06/12/2009 20:54

thats interesting, I know what you mean. Sometimes it is harder in more intimate groups (when you can see the whites of their eyes!). Perhaps to do with being more aware of what those particular people think of you (or caring more). I don't want to make my life hard but I also don't want to not do this just because I am scared about being scared (I'm sure yswim). If I could only see into the future. Thanks for taking the time to reply