We’ve all been there, sweating and anxious days to weeks before a presentation thinking our whole job depends on those crucial minutes while speaking.
What if you looked at it a different way? That those minutes only represent a small fraction of your job and your role? We think those minutes show everyone just how incapable or capable we are at our job.
Do you realize that your audience is looking at you from a “whole person” approach? That they’ve gotten to know you in many ways, through emails, phone calls, your written work, your personable way with people, water cooler talk, etc.
When they see you speak, they already know how capable you are at your job, their history with you, your background and your experience.
When you have a perceived moment of anxiety thinking everyone can tell you’re nervous, they are thinking of all of the other elements of you. If, a big if, you have a mishap or lose your place, do you think they were rooting for you to fail? Even noticed your perceived flaws, then dwelling on it and changing the way they think about you as a whole person?
Think about the situation being reversed, and you’re the observer.
If you were to notice a little anxiety, would you question if that person was capable at their job?
Would all the other things you know about that person be wiped away in those few moments?
Well, that only applies at work with colleagues you may say. What happens when I have to speak in front of others I don’t know well?
You were asked to speak for a reason, be it your expertise, knowledge, or the way you convey your message.
You already are known for your background and experience. People want to hear from you. Same as above applies if you think you made a perceived mistake and ruined your chances.
This approach can help with Imposter Syndrome as well.
