Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be so bloody anxious about something so bloody stupid?

64 replies

Gimmeashake · 30/01/2020 20:16

NC for this. I've a presentation to do on Monday in front of my team. I am ridiculously nervous about it - I think it's the shame of feeling anxious (and of others noticing) that makes it so much worse than it should be. The daft thing is, my job involves lots of anxiety provoking situations, for example, training groups of people, making difficult decisions, working with v risky people and so on. I'm fairly confident on the whole and I think other people would see me this way. However. Talking in this formal setting in front of my peers...it's my worst nightmare. I feel like it's this shameful secret and I'm about to get found out Sad It's worse recently (perhaps just a general increase in work stress, worrying about my son atm and so on) to the point that my voice will really shake and my anxiety will spiral in to full blown panic. I'm dreading it. How do others manage their anxiety in these situations? I think it's slightly more than 'normal' nerves IYSWIM and I really want to get a grip. Honestly, I think it holds me back and I'd love to know how everyone seems to manage so much better than I do. Any advice much appreciated!

OP posts:
ClementineWardobe · 05/02/2020 22:20

Imagine everyone in the room is sitting on the loo.. Then the audience stops being daunting. It works but don't tell anyone you did this, even if its for a split second..

BodenGate · 09/02/2020 18:59

There’s an article in The Sunday Telegraph wellbeing section with top tips about this very topic. I’d be happy to post it to you OP if you’d like.

Gimmeashake · 09/02/2020 20:47

@BodenGate thank you that's so kind of you! I will look it up Smile

OP posts:
HeronLanyon · 09/02/2020 20:56

Have a really clear structure (helps them and you). Use headings. Set you how many things you’ll cover. If enough content give them an overview of what you’re going to speak about. Eg ‘I’m going to cover my view of the mn voting system today. I thought it would be helpful to look at 4 things. 1 why it was brought in. 2. The figures around usage. 3. The tech - how easy is it to enable/disable etc. 4. What does it add to users’ experience of the site’ I Hope then to have time for questions/observations you may have as users yourselves’

Use questions as headings (which you then answer or cover). Use short sentences. Do not string everything into long sentences. Speak far more slowly than you are probably planning to.
Know how you are ending.

Public speaker (barrister) here. Holds no fear for me but I still get a little ‘nervous’ in Court of Appeal and higher. Grin

Ididit2019 · 09/02/2020 21:00

Well done op! Those of you who have taken beta blockers-how long do the effects last for after taking a dose?

PapayaCoconut · 09/02/2020 21:07

Beta blockers. I'm a fucking pro on beta blockers.

HeronLanyon · 10/02/2020 07:19

Good luck op.

PapayaCoconut · 10/02/2020 13:29

About four hours, I think.

PapayaCoconut · 10/02/2020 13:29

Sorry, that was for you, @Ididit2019

february08baby · 10/02/2020 13:56

practice with a relative or in front of a mirror. have some notes as prompts. Smile and take your time. I hate presentations too but get told I'm good at them?

AnuvvaMuvva · 10/02/2020 14:06

Rescue Remedy is genuinely great in situations like this. Ignore the dropper, though, and just swig it straight from the bottle.

AnuvvaMuvva · 10/02/2020 14:09

Argh -- didn't realise I was so late to the party! Glad it went well, OP.

What did you use in the end?

Ididit2019 · 10/02/2020 21:17

Thank you @PapayaCoconut

Girlmeetsbook · 10/02/2020 21:24

Beta blockers can be taken adhoc ie just before the 'performance' or some take them regularly through the day - 3 times usually. Ive done both having tried everything (meditation, practice, courses). I never used to have the fear but it sort of developed and then got steadily worse. BB broke the cycle of adrenaline surges and wobbly voice-am back to enjoying public speaking (I used to love it!). I just take one before a big speech now but will probably drop this off eventually too. It's s great feeling of not getting the physical symptoms and being able to see the situation rationally.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread