Not only are we genetically wired to go into fight or flight when we’re faced with groups of people (and many other times), and we weren’t taught a darn thing about being relaxed anywhere in our schooling…
But guess what else? There’s another reason that most normal people are nervous before and during presentations.
We feel shame when something comes out of our mouths not as beautifully as intended. We actually feel, as a society that we should be able to think a thought, get this, think a thought, and have that thought come out mellifluously.
Let me say this again. We have an idea crystallized in our minds. “Ooh! What a brilliant idea I have!”
Then when we let it come out of our mouths it’s jibber-jabber. Then we think “What the fork? Why didn’t it come out just as I thought it!?”
Everything we’re good at we’ve learned and practiced.
Allow me to retort. The reason it didn’t come out as you thought it is because you didn’t learn the techniques to SPEAKING IT.
Every single thing you’re good at, you’ve worked on! Every single thing. Yet you berate yourself for not getting the words out perfectly without learning and practicing the techniques.
Picture this: Someone hands you a cello. You’ve never seen one up close. You pick it up, try to make some notes and you sound like fingernails on a chalkboard. You get so depressed, you bury your head in the sand and vow never to pick up the cello again.
Can you even imagine feeling that way about your career? Sports you play? Would you ever feel humiliated if you didn’t do something really, really well without learning the techniques and practicing?!
No. You wouldn’t.
Hi,
Your tips are great! I identified a lot with the second tip. Beyond love, the domain of the content to be worked counts a lot.
Breathing is my relaxation technique before and during the presentation. Helps keep you focused. Meditation also helps a lot.
I really appreciate that, Vania!
I had no idea that we were genetically programmed to be fearful of groups of people. Very interesting. I will have to try singing a song in my head and moving to the beat during the next time I have to give a presentation in front of my colleagues.
Kinda genius the Love your audience thing. I never really thought about it but I always worry about what everyone thinks of me instead of the other way around.
I’m excited to try this. I’m hoping I can keep my self-sabotaging thoughts out of my head!
And putting a favorite song in your head when your onstage is a great one!
I meant “you’re”