If you’re in a job where you absolutely can’t have an off day (mentally), what do you do when it happens?

[Nytebird]

I have to go and present in front of a bunch of people tomorrow. I do this ALL the time.

Unfortunately I’m going through some personal stuff right now and have so much anxiety and can’t think straight (very unusual for me).

How do people get through this? I’ve only had this happen once before and the end result wasn’t good.

I thought about pulling out of the event but it would be career ending.

Tips and advice please???

When I’m nervous about presenting I make sure I know the first minute of what I want to say pretty much word for word; that helps me to settle into the talk. I also prepare a few responses for questions at the end in case I can’t think of an answer at the time e.g. thas a great questions thank for your interest I’ll have to have a think about that one if you see me after we can discuss/I can get your contact details.
do you have time in the morning to pick up some rescue remedy? That might help, even if just the placebo affect.
Im terrible at switching off my brain so would probably just try to distract it - watch something on tv to fall asleep then get up and go through the motions as normal in the am. Good luck with it!

Try, if you can, to think of taking the pressure off you as the presenter. Ask for examples or personal experiences more, set up some more group "talk about this" time, suggest people brainstorm certain ideas and report back to the group - this can often get you to your objectives without too much up-time for you, ask for questions to be written down on paper so you can address them at the end so you don' t have to answer things on the fly.

And remember you don't have to be perfect.